New cash forces hospitals to jump through political hoops

4.48.59pm UTC (GMT +0000) Wed 4th Feb 2004

The new cash announced by the Government today, available to Hospital Trusts if they meet political targets, is akin to making dogs perform tricks for food, Paul Burstow MP, Liberal Democrat Shadow Health Secretary, said today.

Commenting on news that hospital trusts in England meeting political targets in accident and emergency will receive £500,000, Paul Burstow MP, said:

"This announcement today is typical of a Government obsessed with micromanaging the NHS.

"Labour has promised to give up this addiction to targets, but they keep coming back for another quick fix. This means money is spent on politicians' priorities and not patients' priorities.

"Forcing hospitals, ambulance and mental health services to meet political targets in order to get funding is like making a dog perform tricks for food. They should let frontline staff get on with the job of treating patients."

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