Kate Green MP: "Local people will be angry, horrified and worried"

Local people will be angry, horrified and worried at Jeremy Hunt's announcement today. They know our NHS is under huge stress. Hunt admitted that Central Manchester is already failing to meet its A&E waiting time targets, and that Wythenshawe A&E needs substantial extra capital investment to cope with the number of patients going there.Jeremy Hunt said the changes won't come into effect until neighbouring A&Es consistently meet their targets. What does he mean by "consistent"? Over last winter, they missed those targets in 30 weeks out of 35.

Of course I want to see more investment in preventative health services that keep people healthier and out of hospital for longer, and for more people to be able to receive the care they need at home. But with more sweeping changes to come to health services across Greater Manchester, and when we've already had cuts to Trafford's social care budgets for older people of nearly 10% and supporting people funding of 29.7%, I'm desperately worried our local NHS simply won't be able to cope."