The latest controversy follows growing criticism of the tactics being deployed by the Liberal Democrats as they fight to hold on the seat which they have held for 42 years. In unprecedented interventions, both the Prime Minister, David Cameron, and the Chancellor, George Osborne, have recently heavily criticised claims made about Conservative policy, contained within Berwick Liberal Democrat election leaflets, referring to Liberal Democrat "chaotic scaremongering" and spreading "fears and smears".
A Conservative spokesman said; "the Liberal Democrats seem to be now running the dirtiest campaign in the living memory of any of our activists, we expect it to get worse and more personal. Rather than defend their record and explain to voters what they have achieved in nearly 42 years they constantly resort to extremely negative campaigning, people may draw their own conclusions as to why that is the case".
Anne-Marie Trevelyan said; "I am happy to defend my record with the healthcare trust and on promoting the interests of local people in relation to health in general. I have recently identified and campaigned to raise awareness of a protocol which has a serious impact on our local ambulance response times. I have met with executives and unions, I am meeting representatives of St Johns Ambulance next week and I have invited the health secretary Jeremy Hunt to come up to the constituency to discuss with me patient needs in this part of the country".
On the issue of the campaigning tactics of her Liberal Democrats opponents Anne-Marie Trevelyan said; "it is disappointing but I do not want to be drawn in to the negativity, I want to run a positive campaign, setting out what I believe in and what I am campaigning for". She did, however, have praise for her opponent from the Green party; "there are obviously differences of opinion in terms of policy but the Green party have run a very positive campaign since they entered the contest in Berwick and have been a welcome, breath of fresh air".
Statement
“Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, of which I and 6 others are Berwick’s publicly elected governors, holds dozens of meetings every year with local governors to discuss specific matters of concern for Berwick and North Northumberland. The 4 statutory general meetings held at North Tyneside are formal meetings of the whole Trust governing body, but it is not where the main discussions on matters local to North Northumberland are held, or decisions taken.
The meetings which I and my fellow Berwick Governors have on a regular basis with senior management of the Trust, take place in Berwick, Alnwick or Rothbury. Their purpose is to discuss with the management the key immediate and long-term healthcare issues of concern to those we represent. Over the last 7 years, I have campaigned on behalf of local people for:
1. The new hospital in Berwick, which is now underway;
2. On getting chemotherapy provision more locally , and we now have chemotherpay units in Berwick and Alnwick infirmaries;
3. In maintaining maternity provision locally, and the Trust have respected the views of local mums and families because we made sure their views were clearly heard;
4. Dialysis treatment more locally, and we now have negotiated a fantastic centre in Alnwick so that many patients no longer have to go into Newcastle to the RVI;
5. More consultant services at our Infirmaries, and we now have over 150 different clinics/provision at Berwick;
6. Telecare to reduce travel to Wansbeck for many orthopaedic patients, which is now running all the time out of Berwick and Alnwick. I have also been able to advocate on many personal cases where a family member has had a problem and the Trust has listened to those of us who work on the ground, day-in day-out, in our part of the Trust. I have been able to resolve issues with families and get better medical outcomes for them as a result of the voluntary role I have as a Governor.”