Press Release

Contact: Richard Burt 07970 713032
Embargo: Immediate 21st May 2007

NHS IS IN LIMBO UNDER A LAME DUCK MINISTER – RICHARD BURT

NHS campaigner & West Worcestershire’s LibDem Parliamentary Candidate, Richard Burt has today attacked the Government for leaving the NHS “in limbo under a lame-duck minister", following the resignation of the Chairman of the British Medical Association yesterday.

James Johnson resigned following controversy surrounding the ill-fated Medical Training Application Service (MTAS) for junior doctors.

Richard said:

"Whilst Tony Blair jets around the world and Gordon Brown is busy re-branding himself, the NHS is left in limbo under a lame-duck minister.

"The sorry catalogue of errors that make up the MTAS fiasco is sadly symbolic of this Government’s mishandling of health service reform.

"James Johnson is only the latest in a long line of people who have paid the price for serious mistakes emanating from Whitehall.

"Patricia Hewitt is keeping her job in this ridiculous hiatus, while those around her are losing theirs. It is unacceptable that Ministers are seemingly absolved from ministerial responsibility during this transitional period."
ENDS