A GOVERNMENT-ordered reshuffle of the NHS in Barnsley — costing almost £18m — is 'scandalous' according to Andy Burnham, the shadow secretary of state for health.

 

Mr Burnham visited Barnsley Hospital last Thursday and said he had picked up on 'nervousness' among staff and patients about the nation-wide NHS reorganisation.

 

The plan has prompted concern in the town, with critics saying the money the reshuffle will cost could be far better spent on hospital beds, nurses' salaries and medication.

 

Mr Burnham said: "The government says the reorganisation is costing £1.6bin nationally, but I think it's a lot more.

 

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"It's scandalous to be spending money on, for example, redundancies, and our worry is that successful hospitals like this could be destabilised by further reorganisation."

 

Barnsley Central MP Dan Jarvis welcomed Mr Burnham, who is visiting hospitals around the country hearing their concerns.

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Mr Burnham told the Chronicle: "Staff and patients say that more and more people are waiting too long in A and Es, operations are being rationed and cuts to front-line services are beginning to bite."

 

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He praised the 'tremendous' work and good reputation of the hospital, which last year treated more than 61,000 patients.

 

He added: "Hospitals are full to bursting around the country, and, particularly going into the winter, I need to be on top of people's concerns

so I can go back and challenge government."

 

Dan Jarvis MP described the NHS reorganisation as 'totally indefensible' and said people in Barnsley would be appalled.

 

"I am deeply concerned about the impact this is going to have on patient care in Barnsley," said Mr Jarvis.

 

"I want the government doing all they can to help patients in Barnsley who are desperately in need of first class care.

 

"That is far more important than a nonessential, massively expensive reorganisation, which nobody voted for."

 

Both politicians said the NHS was facing tough challenges such as an increasing demand from an ageing population, but there were other better

solutions such as integrating health and social care.