A top hospital consultant Barry Monk is to stand as a parliamentary candidate in the next General Election to fight for a decent NHS in this country.

His skills should be focused on caring for patients, not battling with an uncaring Government. Yet he feels he has no choice as his own hospital in Bedford could one of those axed in a regional shake-up and he doesn’t want to lose it. It is £12 million in debt.

The consultant dermatologist (pictured) will stand as a “Save Bedford Hospital” candidate and The Save Bedford Hospital organisation has been registered as a political party with the Electoral Commission.

I saw him on the lunchtime news, describing how the NHS could spend millions of pounds on management consultants and billions on a new computerised system that may not even work, anything but hospitals.

He is fed up with ward closures, staff shortages, the freeze on jobs, he said hospitals were more than just building, that it was time for politicians to stop meddling and interfering, people needed were proper hospitals in the Eastern Region.

He said:

“Enough is enough. I will be standing for Parliament at the next general election for the Bedford and Kempston constituency, fighting on the issue of the proper provision and of good quality accessible health care for the people of Bedfordshire.”

It seems unbelievable that he has to go to these lengths before he feels his voice is heard. He cares passionately about giving people a decent NHS service. But shouldn’t our Government be doing that?

Dr Monk will stand against Labour MP Patrick Hall and his courageous stand will strike a chord with thousands of others who share similar concerns. I wonder if other doctors will follow his lead. In fact, maybe doctors should unite and form a “Save The NHS” party before it is too late.