Prime Minister's question asked in the House of Commons, by Peter Luff (Conservative). It was answered on Wednesday, 20 July 2005 on behalf of the Prime Minister.

Engagements

Question: The 3,000 people who crowded into Evesham market square for the protest rally on Sunday and the 20,000 who have signed the petition to save the town's hospital would be surprised to learn that, only two years ago, in ““Keeping the NHS Local””, the Government advocated ““sustainable solutions for smaller hospitals to secure their valued role at the heart of local communities.”” Given the substantial extra funding that is going to the South Worcestershire primary care trust, why is it proposed to close wards and sharply reduce services at Evesham community hospital, in direct contradiction of Government policy?

Answer: I am grateful that the hon. Gentleman at least concedes that there has been substantial extra funding. Decision making on the configuration of local services must be a matter for the PCT—that is the procedure with which I think we all agree. I understand that the proposals for Evesham community hospital are at an early stage and I expect that the PCT will take into account all representations, including the hon. Gentleman's, before taking any decisions. However, it is worth highlighting something that he implied, which is that there has been a substantial increase in funding—[Hon. Members: ““Where is it going?””] I shall say where. The funding is going into the £87 million private finance initiative Worcestershire royal hospital, which is now completed and operational, and into the 1,800 more nurses, 240 more consultants and 140 more doctors. In other words, it is going into improve health care services.

Secondary information