The NHS in Warwickshire

Much public anxiety has been aroused by reports that the South Warwickshire Health authorities are gravely overspent and that many existing services may have to be curtailed.

A Patient Representative Forum has been formed for Coventry & Warwickshire and Mike Gerrard , Chair of Stratford CLP has been appointed a member.

The Forum is due to meet in Coventry on 23 February to begin considering the situation from the point of view of the public.

Plans to wind up the Coventry & Warwickshire Ambulance and establish a Regional ambulance authority, and parallel proposals to merge the Primary Care Trusts in Warwickshire are also matters on which Stratford Constituency Labour Party will be keeping a close eye on in the interests of local people.

News from the Village Liaison Officer

Stratford District Council "Community Links": If you have no access to a car and cannot reach public transport, you will be interested to know that this new service will be starting soon. It will help people who are stuck for transport to get to destinations in the vicinity of Bidford, and will operate on Tuesdays and Fridays between 9am and 3pm. There will be a local service both days, while on one day there will be a service to and from Stratford, and on one day a service to and from Evesham.

You are eligible if - you previously qualified for transport tokens, do not have access to a car, cannot get to public transport because of mobility problems, or live in rural isolation and have no other form of transport available.

The service costs £1.00 per journey.

There are forms enabling you to register for this scheme. If you can't get one locally, please contact Stratford Council on 01789 260122 or Bidford Parish Council on 01789 778653.