04 January, 2008

Hospitals Crisis: Liberal Democrat Summit Demands Action


Top Liberal Democrats from across East Lancashire, including Cllr Allan Knox, held a hospital crisis summit in Colne on Wednesday (2nd January) to demand immediate action on the growing problems, which have beset the main hospitals in Burnley and Blackburn since the reorganisation of services.

The meeting was led by Pendle Councillor Lord Tony Greaves and Burnley Council Leader Gordon Birtwistle. Also present were the Deputy Leader of Blackburn Council, Councillor David Foster; the leader of Pendle Council, Councillor Alan Davies; and Liberal Democrat group leaders Councillor Allan Knox (Ribble Valley) and Councillor Cath Pilling (Rossendale), together with key Councillors, party officials and members from all six districts.

The summit heard a series of horror stories which have occurred since the transfer of "blue light" Accident & Emergency services from Burnley General to the Royal Blackburn and other changes.

The Liberal Democrat summit decided:

  • To call immediately for an urgent and rapid independent review of hospital services in East Lancashire.
  • To co-ordinate Liberal Democrat action on the hospital crisis across East Lancashire including collecting of information from patients and people working in the NHS, putting together a dossier and a set of proposals to solve the problems.
  • To build a campaign to force the NHS authorities to take urgent action - now.

Allan Knox said: "It is obvious to everyone that very urgent action is needed - the system is bust, patients are not getting the service they deserve and some are dying, as a result of the incompetence of the top bureaucrats. Staff are doing their best but both patients and staff have had enough - the time for urgent action is now.

"The problem is that the Royal Blackburn Hospital is just not coping with the workload. The problem is an East Lancashire problem and we are determined to see it tackled on an East Lancashire level.

"We want everyone with something to say about this crisis to do so now - and if people such as staff have to do so on a confidential basis we will respect that. There really does have to be a massive uprising of the people in order to get this massive problem sorted out." Have you a story - email Allan.

More from Councillor Allan Knox

Recycle Christmas


Cllr Allan Knox says its time to think of the environment when taking down decorations and cards.

It is estimated that up to 1 billion Christmas cards are thrown out every year and an extra 750 million bottles and glass containers and 500 million drinks cans are used over the festive period.

Allan said: “Many Christmas trimmings can be recycled. Wrapping paper and cards can be recycled, natural trees can be composted and spare or unwanted gifts can be donated to charity.

More from Councillor Allan Knox

18 August, 2007

Emergency Road Closure!

Henthorn Road closed for up to 2 weeks
Lancashire County Council road staff have been investigating why there is a dip in Henthorn Road between Thorn Street and Brown Street and have discovered a void under the carriageway. Obviously this could be extremely serious and consequently they are taking immediate action to remedy the problem.

This will mean that the section of road between Thorn Street and Brown Street will be closed from 08:00hrs on Monday 20th August 2007 until 17:00hrs on Sunday 2nd September 2007 or until completion within this period.

During that period traffic that would normally travel down that stretch of Henthorn road is being advised to divert down Seedall Avenue, along Edisford Road and then back onto Thorn Street. I hope you will be able to cope with the inconvenience.

For further information email me.

06 February, 2007

20 June, 2006

"Promise the earth to save the earth"


Liberal Democrat Councillor Allan Knox is encouraging his constituents to join him in making a small promise which will make a big difference to the planet.

The Environment Agency is asking everyone to "promise the earth" by making one of ten pledges to save our environment. Allan said:

"I've promised to turn off the tap every morning and night while brushing my teeth. While this may seem like a pretty small thing, if enough people do it we can save tremendous amounts of water. If all 4000 people in the UK who've made the same promise keep it up for a year, we can save almost 9 million litres of water!"

Also this week the EU this week launched a new website to encourage people to take responsibility for the carbon emissions they create, after statistics showed that ordinary households are responsible for 16% of the EU's greenhouse gases. Allan added:

"In showing us how we can "take control" of our actions so to minimize our damage to the earth through climate change, the EU demonstrates once again that it is leading the fight against global warming."

Allan's pledge is:

1. I promise I will take a shower instead of a bath.

2. I promise I will put a water saving device in my toilet.

3. I promise I will turn the tap off when I brush my teeth

4. I promise to use rechargeable batteries instead of disposable ones.

5. I promise to use a reusable bag when I shop, rather than plastic carriers.

6. I promise to air my washing in public - not in the tumble dryer

7. I promise I will boil only the water I need, rather than filling the kettle every time.

8. I promise I will share my car journeys to work with a colleague, cycle or replace those car journeys with public transport at least once a week.

9. I promise that I will pay back the environmental impact of any air travel I take

10. I promise I will organise or volunteer for an environmental project in my local community.

More from Councillor Allan Knox