Stepping Hill Hospital to close ward and lose over 400 staff

Stockport Liberal Democrats have reacted with shock and anger at news that Stepping Hill Hospital is to slash hundreds of jobs and close a whole ward in an attempt to balance the books.

Stepping Hill hospital has admitted it has a deficit of over £40 million and every minute of every day it is losing £75.

To deal with this, the hospital has briefed staff on a whole series of cuts. These include:

Surgical ward B3 to close permanently on 29th July with the loss of 22 beds.
A further 8 trauma and orthopaedic beds to close from October.
410 jobs to be lost (350 full-time equivalents).
The North East corner of the hospital site to be sold.
A big increase in staff car parking charges – effectively an additional tax on staff to raise money to fund the hospital

Cllr Laura Booth, who leads on hospital issues for Stockport Liberal Democrats, said “This is a bolt from the blue and we are desperately worried for the staff and patients who will be affected by these cuts.”

Offerton Lib Dem councillor Wendy Meikle said “The Conservatives have lectured us on how well they are funding the NHS. Now we can see the truth laid bare. This news is a kick in the teeth for patients, and for the doctors and nurses who work so hard and do such a brilliant job. Stepping Hill does not deserve this and people will want to know why it is happening.”

Please sign our petition calling on the government to fund properly Stepping Hill – petition here

Stockport Liberal Democrats are calling on the management of Stepping Hill Hospital to scrap the proposed increase in staff parking charges and to engage properly with local residents to find a workable solution to this problem.

If you support this parallel campaign, please sign our petition.

Marple Lib Dems

Stepping Hill Hospital to close ward and lose over 400 staff

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