COUNCILLORS from Bude, Peter La Broy and Nigel Pearce, are calling on the government to meet the £277-million shortfall in funding for the NHS.

Nigel Pearce, Liberal Democrat Cornwall Councillor for Bude, said: “Healthcare is so important; the government must find adequate funding to meet the shortfall for Bude and Cornwall, as we are hours away from the big major hospitals and it’s a long way to travel.”

Bude-Stratton town councillor, Peter La Broy, said: “It’s crucial that the challenges of accessing healthcare from our location are recognised. People from this area already find it difficult travelling to Barnstaple or Plymouth, so we cannot accept our stretched health services to be damaged by underfunding.

“The government cannot allow us to become a forgotten corner. We will be making sure that this message is heard and understood.”

At Cornwall Council, councillors Sue James and Rob Rotchell have submitted a motion that was scheduled for a debate at full council on February 21.

The government is requiring Cornwall’s NHS to work with the council to come up with a five-year plan that has a shortfall of £277-million needed for adequate funding.

A motion proposed by the councillor for St Just, Sue James, and seconded by Camelford’s councillor, Rob Rotchell, states: “This council’s ambition for Cornwall is to maintain and improve health and social care provision to meet the needs of our local population, despite government cuts to funding. This council calls upon the government to acknowledge that making better use of existing resources will not in itself resolve the growing crisis confronting both the NHS and local council adult social care services and that additional funding is also needed.”