NHS deficits threat to hospital

9.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Thu 15th Jun 2006

Lib Dem Andrew Simpson outside Northampton General Hospital

NHS acting chief executive, Sir Ian Carruthers, has revealed that NHS deficits of £512 million may result in hospital closures. Responding to his comments, Liberal Democrat Shadow Health Secretary, Steve Webb MP said:

"The Health Secretary has said that the huge increase in deficits this year will not affect patient care. Yet the acting chief executive does not rule out the closure of whole hospitals and refuses to name which ones are most at risk.

"The Government must not arrogantly hide the true impact of deficits on frontline services. Local people shouldn't be the last to find out if their hospital is to close."

Reacting to the news, Liberal Democrat Spokesperson for Northampton North, Andrew Simpson said: "This is extremely worrying news. Northampton General Hospital executives are facing a shortfall of around £8 million this year. With the population of Northampton due to increase dramatically, putting extra strain on resources, any threat to services could have dire consequences."

For more information on Liberal Democrat health policies go to:

http://www.libdems.org.uk/health/