Cuts in local NHS hospitals could put councils like Haringey in hardship warns report 29/07/06

Haringey Conservatives have today expressed concern at a new report from the NHS Confederation and the Local Government Association warning that local councils are now having to cut social care because of the impact of NHS deficits.

In the nationwide survey, seven of out ten local authorities are withdrawing services because of cuts in spending from NHS Trusts. Many NHS organisations have stopped funding joint projects and referred patients on to social services which would normally be dealt with by hospitals. In turn, councils are being forced to reduce provision for low-level care needs, increase waiting times and cut funding from other budgets like leisure or transport. These funding pressures could also feed through to higher council tax bills next year.

The North Middlesex University Hospital NHS Trust has a £8,166,000 defecit. The Haringey Primary care Trust (PCT) is slashing services by almost £11m at St. Ann's Hospital and is only in the 'black' by £161,000.  The Barnet, Enfield and Haringey Mental Health NHS Trust is in credit by just £53,000

Justin Hinchcliffe, Chairman of Tottenham Conservatives, said:

“Despite the hard work of public sector workers, financial mismanagement by Ministers in Whitehall is leading to cuts in frontline services. Locally, the North Middlesex has sacked staff and cancel operations because their budgets are in the red. St. Ann's is set to follow suit.

“But worse, these NHS cuts are now hitting local councils, since health and social services are so closely linked. Elderly and vulnerable people are suffering as hospitals cut care provision, and councils do not have the funds to cope.

“We have all been aware of Labour’s squeeze on council budgets, but to expect council tax payers to bail out the NHS is unfair. Patients, nurses and doctors deserve far more from the Labour Government than botched reorganisations, inconsistent policies and now cutbacks and closures.”