West London Boroughs Face NHS Budget Crisis

Lack of Funding Could Close Hammersmith Hospital A&E

Concerns are being raised that increased deficits in local health service funding could lead to the closure of casualty units and a further deterioration in the availability of GPs.

Hammersmith and Fulham's Health and Social Services Scrutiny Panel, who met to discuss the long-term future of local healthcare, were informed of the alarming shortage of funding for local health trusts and services and were warned that the situation is reaching crisis point. The report stated "the overall position for Ealing, Hammersmith and Fulham and Hounslow health economies is very unsatisfactory with widespread deficits and undiminished demand".

Hammersmith Hospitals NHS Trust has experienced a continued increase in demand and has used all its reserves to cover an accumulated deficit. A report presented to the Panel acknowledged "The projected deficit will be between £6-7 millions even with the further cost reduction measures. Although there will be an increase of 9.1% (£16 millions) for 2003/04, more than 70% of the additional funding is needed for inflation costs and virtually all of the remaining funding would be needed to repay the £3.2 millions deficit incurred in 2002/3. This leaves virtually nothing to pay for the additional activity reported in our hospitals and the costs of meeting new targets, in particular access targets and the requirements of mental health national framework".

If the funding crisis continues, Hammersmith Hospital's accident and emergency department could be closed.

Tony Arbour, London Assembly Member for Hounslow issued a press release highlighting the continued financial pressures on the Hounslow Primary Care Trust as the Primary Care Trust Board report another deficit of £ 4.7 million for 2003/4. Mr Arbour also pointed out that Hounslow already has a serious GP shortage with an estimated 36% of residents unable to see their GP within two days. �The financial situation is so serious that the Trust has actually stated in its �Delivery Plan� that the financial situation means the PCT is not even able to fund the current underlying deficit.�

Mr Arbour will write to the Secretary of State for Health asking for him to urgently review the funding for Hounslow as a priority for a Borough with serious challenges on health issues.

September 24, 2003

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