First of all, let's look at the background to the story. On October 1st 2006 four Primary Care Trusts merged to become the North Yorkshire and York PCT. It employs around 5000 people and is a Β£1 billion a year business with a current deficit of around Β£43 million. This is the result of inherited debt and overspending on running costs. By the end of the financial year (March 31st 2007) the PCT aims to have reduced its debt by Β£10m to around Β£33m. So how do they plan to do this? The financial recovery plan includes cutbacks such as a stoppage on capital projects (such as new buildings and refurbishments), cuts to services and staff redundancies. Treatments for ailments like varicose veins, hernias and bunions have been put on hold and high cost treatment for those suffering from things like arthritis or back pain is now being awarded only at the discretion of the PCTs exceptional case panel. Some GPs have criticised these cost saving measures calling them a rationing of the health service. Four hundred people working within the PCT are now under threat of redundancy as the employees of the previous four trusts are slimmed down into one. We want to hear from you. Have you been a victim of the cutbacks, have you had treatment or an operation cancelled and have these changes affected your life? If so, we want to hear from you. You can get in touch by filling in the form below.
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