Trust managers reveal truth about financial crisis - Burstow

12.00.00am GMT Fri 9th Feb 2007

After meeting with Chief Executive Graham Smith, Paul Burstow, MP for Sutton and Cheam can reveal that Epsom and St Helier Hospital Trust is facing the prospect of having to cut £33 million in the financial year which begins on 1st April.

Mr Burstow met with Graham Smith in early February to discuss the Trust's budget position and was shocked to learn the extent of the Trust's financial woes. Among the facts revealed at the meeting were:

• Of the £24 million the Trust aimed to save over a two year period, it still needs to find £18 million.

• The Trust could have to pay out as much as £10 million in redundancy costs.

• The Trust's income will be slashed by £15 million as a result of requirements on the local Primary Care Trust to reduce its expenditure.

Despite these figures, senior managers told Mr Burstow they expected the Trust's hospitals to be able to maintain the full range of services and health care activities currently on offer.

Commenting on the news, Paul Burstow MP said:

"With only relatively modest cuts, the impact on patients and staff is already significant, but now it appears much worse is to come."

"The Trust's central proposition - that it can maintain the level and quality of health services while cutting costs, closing beds and axing staff - is simply laughable.

Paul Burstow MP is one of the leaders of the SOS: Save our St Helier campaign. He is pictured here with Tom Brake, MP for Carshalton and Wallington (l) and Sean Brennan, Leader of Sutton Council (c)

"People in Sutton should be concerned that decisions about their health service are being taken behind closed doors without any accountability."