Eight of the eleven Hertfordshire MPs joined forces today to call the Government to account for the crisis facing the NHS in Her
12th July 2006
In a debate in Westminster Hall, the eight Conservative MPs highlighted the dramatic cuts occurring at almost every level of healthcare in Hertfordshire.
In a debate in Westminster Hall, the eight Conservative MPs highlighted the dramatic cuts occurring at almost every level of healthcare in Hertfordshire. Opening the debate, MP for South West Hertfordshire, David Gauke, argued that the health funding formula left Hertfordshire at a disadvantage. “Hertfordshire primary care trusts receive only 90% of the average per capita funding for England as a whole,” commented David. “As a consequence, we face enormous deficits and, in order to balance the books, severe cuts to our services. We face staff reductions, services being reduced, hospitals being closed and plans for new hospitals being left on the shelf. It is time the Government started to listen to the people of Hertfordshire.”
MP for Hemel Hempstead, Mike Penning, criticised the removal of acute services from Hemel Hempstead. “Our acute hospital is a key part of our town. It provides a fantastic service to 250,000 people who will now have to go to Watford. It is very difficult to get to Watford from Hemel, particularly when Watford or Saracens are playing at home. This plan is putting lives at risk.”
Speaking in response, Health Minister Rosie Winterton MP refused to agree to a change in the funding formula whereby many parts of the North of England receive up to 30% per head more in health spending than is allocated in Hertfordshire.
