Don’t turn back the clock: support specialist services NOW

Since taking over as Prime Minister, David Cameron has made it clear that the NHS is safe in the Coalition's hands and that there will be no cuts to frontline NHS services. However, the CF Trust has uncovered a worrying trend that amounts to real-time cuts to CF services across England and Wales - to specialist nursing, physiotherapy and dietetics.

You may not yet have noticed the impact of these cuts, and that's a real testament to the clinical teams and their commitment to give the best possible care. However, CF services cannot and should not be run on goodwill alone. They have to properly funded and properly staffed.

Across the country, we have received reports of

• Specialist nurses having to take on general ward work, away from their CF work
• Physio posts being shrunk, so physios have less time to spend with patients
• Physio posts being left vacant when someone leaves
• No cover for maternity leave for physios
• Dietitian posts being shrunk, so patients have less access to dietetic support
• In-patient treatments have been postponed because of a shortage of nurses
• Transition from paediatric to adult service has been postponed due to a lack of staff

This is YOUR frontline NHS and right now your CF service needs you!

The CF Trust, through Bob Russell MP and Rt Hon Paul Goggins MP, has tabled a petition in Parliament, calling on the Coalition Government to keep their promise on frontline NHS services and to stop the cuts to CF care.

Write to your MP and ask them to sign Early Day Motion 2033. Tell them how much you rely on the specialist care and support and how the service cannot and should not be stretched any further.

Tell your MP

• What having access to specialist physio means to you, keeping you well for longer
• How the relationship with your specialist nurse is so important
• If you've been having trouble getting an appointment with your physio
• About your concerns if you are unable to get in-patient care because of the cuts

How to find your MP

• Click on the find your MP website. (NB: to open in a new window right click on the link and click open in a new window)
• Put in your postcode and click find your MP.
• Click on your MPs name and you will find their email address.
• If you'd rather send a letter than an email, send your letter to them at: House of Commons, London SW1A 0AA
• Share their response with us and we'll keep you posted of the petition's progress.
• Here is a template of the letter if you require one.