Local MP to challenge Minister at Westminster over North Bristol NHS Trust Debt

8.42.51pm GMT Mon 5th Mar 2007

Emma and Steve Webb MP at Frenchay

Northavon MP Steve Webb will tomorrow (Tuesday 6th) take a local campaign to Westminster to call for action on the massive debts of North Bristol NHS Trust. The Lib Dem MP has secured a 90 minute debate at Westminster on the Government's handling of NHS Trust debt, to which health minister Andy Burnham will respond.

North Bristol Trust, which runs Frenchay and Southmead Hospitals, was recently turned down for 'Foundation Trust' status because of uncertainty over the future of its £100m debt, run up over the last five years. In response, local MP Steve Webb and Filton & Bradley Stoke candidate Emma Bone have joined forces to run a petition campaign urging the Government to take urgent steps to cut the burden of debt on the Trust. Already hundreds of local people have signed online petitions or forms in local Focus newsletters, with more signatures being added all the time.

Commenting on the campaign, Emma Bone said:

"Local people feel very strongly that our local hospital Trust cannot be expected to find £100 million and still provide a high quality of healthcare. This debt is like a millstone round the neck of our local NHS, and I fully support Steve Webb's call for a cut in the debt".

Northavon MP Steve Webb said:

"Our campaign has clearly struck a chord with local people who are shocked at the scale of North Bristol's debts and who want something done about it. The Government cannot leave our local hospitals in limbo, not knowing whether or not they will have to pay back all of this money. This is no way to run a health service. If the Trust management can convince the Government that their financial health is now in order, then the Government should respond by writing off some of the outstanding debt and making clear what rules will apply to paying back the rest of the money that is owed".