A HEALTH minister today defended Labour Party chairman Hazel Blears over accusations of hypocrisy following her campaign against hospital closures.

Bury MP Ivan Lewis, whose Greater Manchester constituency neighbours Ms Blears', said he agreed with the need for change in the NHS.

But he said ministers had every right to oppose closures in their constituencies.

"None of the recommendations or the decisions were are talking about in Greater Manchester were made by ministers or civil servants in central government," he told Radio 4's Today programme.

"We are bound by collective ministerial responsibility when decisions are made at a Government level."

Reform

He said he agreed health services in Greater Manchester needed to reform.

"I fully support the need for change. The status quo isn't right in terms of safety or quality.

"But in terms of geography there remains a strong case that as part of that reconfiguration for a unit to remain at Bury."

He said MPs, first and foremost, were elected to fulfil their responsibilities to constituents.

And he said every MP, not just ministers, could lobby Health Secretary Patricia Hewitt, who makes the final decisions about closures.

IS Hazel Blears right or wrong to oppose the closures? Have your say.

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