Letter to Rt Hon Jeremy Hunt MP, Secretary of State for Health

Dear Rt Hon Jeremy Hunt MP

Along with my constituents I am writing about the local NHS "Sustainability and Transformation Plan" covering my constituency. Hull is part of an area described as "Coast, Humber and Vale" which includes very different and diverse areas in East Yorkshire, North Yorkshire and the Southbank.

We are deeply concerned that local residents in the area covered by your plan, have not been consulted on the draft plan for our area which was submitted on June 30th 2016. We have also been refused sight of this document despite a request I made earlier this year in parliament.

These secret draft plans are of deep concern.

We understand that the plans are meant to detail how each area will deliver NHS England's "5 Year Forward View". We also understand that the plans detail how each area will reduce deficits caused by a chronic lack of NHS funding. In England, the NHS and social care provided by councils are projected to see a £23 billion gap in funding by 2021. An analysis by the campaigning group 38 Degrees has shown that many areas are planning frontline cuts in order to save this money.

The NHS is funded from general taxation - specifically national insurance contributions. It is our NHS and we have a right to know what is being planned in our area.

We ask that you publish the plan for Coast, Humber and Vale and place a copy in the House of Commons library so that we are not kept in the dark about plans which affect us all.

Best wishes

Diana Johnson MP