By a Socialist Party member
On 2 September Chris Bryant (Labour MP for Rhondda) was in Tonypandy. When I saw him; I thought it was a perfect opportunity to confront him about the brutal cuts in the NHS, especially in the mental health department. After all, his party voted to cut the NHS budget in Wales!
I told him that my mother has had three appointments cancelled by the mental health clinic and she has to wait until January for an appointment. I didn’t think it fair on people with mental health illnesses when the government are making all these cuts.
He replied that they are not making any cuts on the health board and no cuts have been made in the NHS. I asked why they are then closing St Tydfil’s psychiatric hospital and cutting out nine beds at Royal Glamorgan psychiatric unit and turning people away.
I told him my mum went to a general mental health board meeting where even the secretary at the mental health clinic said they (Labour Party/ Welsh government) were making cuts.
He cannot say he has no responsibility when his party are the ones implementing these cuts. Instead of fighting the cuts, he denies they are happening!
I asked why the two local general hospitals (Royal Glamorgan and Prince Charles) will be merged into one hospital, effectively closing a whole hospital and why the Health Board have announced £100 million worth of cuts, if they aren’t making any cuts? Needless to say Chris Bryant was unable to answer.
Once he saw us setting up our Socialist Party stall against the NHS cuts he soon packed up and left. He tried to say there were no cuts but I think he is a liar and a disgrace.
