Tories block questions into hospital bed cuts
Local Labour and Conservative councillors have teamed up to prevent Liberal Democrat questions about Chippenham Hospital.
Residents have expressed shock after it emerged that Conservative and Labour councillors have prevented the Lib Dems from looking into the cuts at Chippenham hospital.
In a surprise move, the Conservative council voted to oust Lib Dem Chris Caswill as the head of the council’s watchdog committee, after doing a deal behind the scenes with a Labour Councillor.
The committee is there to keep a check on the actions of the Tory controlled council and other local agencies.
Local councillors have said they believe the move came about because Cllr Caswill was pushing hard to look into recent health cuts.
Cllr Caswill pressed for the Wiltshire Primary Care Trust (PCT) to be called into account for their closures at Chippenham hospital several times, but this was always blocked by the Conservatives.
Now they have got rid of him all together.
Duncan Hames, prospective Lib Dem MP said: “Chris worked very hard for local people, too hard for the Conservative Party’s liking.”
“It is a disgrace that local people will not get their questions asked by this important committee.”
There are now fears that his replacement, the only Labour councillor in North Wiltshire will silence the issue.
The councillor is also a paid director of the Wiltshire NHS Trust, which would make it very difficult for her to lead inquiries into any matter relating to Chippenham hospital.