Letter from Parliament - Jim Dobbin MP

Jim Dobbin MP

We celebrate the 65th Anniversary of the birth of the National Health Service which is still the envy of the world. However, the Coalition policies will see a move to private health care and an end to equality for all people in their access to health care.

Having spent 34 years working in the Health Service, I feel angry at this idealistic change that is taking place.

I was particularly pleased to hear Ed Miliband promise this week to reverse that trend and bring control of Health back under the remit of the Secretary of State for Health.

Coalition Health Ministers when answering questions are already saying it’s not their responsibility but the responsibility of the new local commissioning groups. This will create a postcode lottery across the country where different commissioning groups will be providing different services. Decisions will be based on saving money not on medical priority.

Michael Gove has also indicated his intention to privatise education by allowing private companies to fund schools. He already allows unqualified teachers to teach in free schools. If he extends this throughout education he will cut the cost of education and generate larger profits for private sector schools.

It seems that quality of service is fast disappearing from health and education, and so it continues.

The funeral arrangements for the burial of Drummer Lee Rigby have been announced by the Ministry of Defence and will take place this week on the 12 July. The whole nation will pay their respects on this sad occasion. I am sure I speak for the entire local community in sending your sympathy and support to his parents, family and friends. The funeral takes place in Bury.

I enjoyed celebrating the 50th year of Our Lady and St Paul's, Darnhill, at a service in the school. The Cockerel, that had been sitting on the school roof interrupted Father Paul Daly when in full flow and brought a bit of fun to the event.

It was 1940s day in Heywood and there were some amazing uniforms from the 40s era on parade.

I was able to attend the lowering of the flag at the War Memorial in Middleton in recognition of Armed Forces Week.