MPs' showdown over N&N job cuts


19 April 2006 10:28

A crunch meeting to discuss the growing financial crisis at Norfolk's flagship hospital has been secured with the Health Secretary.

Norwich North Labour MP Ian Gibson and North Norfolk Lib Dem MP Norman Lamb have arranged crisis talks with Patricia Hewitt next month in an attempt to resolve the funding problems looming over the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital.

At least 700 jobs could be slashed as the hospital struggles to deal with a

£22 million shortfall resulting from a paltry Government settlement.

The hospital has been on an efficiency drive to meet the controversial private finance payments and while the number and nature of job cuts has not been confirmed, losses are now looking inevitable.

The meeting will be for an all-party group of Norfolk MPs and will take place on May 10.

“The situation at the N&N remains very serious,” Mr Lamb said. “Hundreds of jobs and patient care are at stake.

“It is very important that the Health Secretary fully understands the seriousness of the situation which the hospital is in.”

The Strategic Health Authority has recently confirmed that so-called “smoothing payments”, which are used to account for increased costs of PFI hospitals, will continue for 2006/07 although no commitment has been given for further years.

Dr Gibson said: “This is an opportunity for us to try to establish a strategic plan for Norfolk's health services.

“We are not just talking about the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital. Across Norfolk the health service is suffering.

“Ideally we would like the Health Secretary to offer us more money, but realistically we want to put a strategic plan together which involves all hospitals in the area.”

Currently, the N&N employs more than 5,000 staff.

In Staffordshire, 1,000 jobs are being cut and it is affecting posts across the board, including surgeons.

What do you think about the proposed NHS cuts? Write to: Letters, Evening News, Prospect House, Rouen Road, Norwich, NR1 1RE, email eveningnewsletters@archant.co.uk or visit www.eveningnews24.co.uk/forums

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