Written question asked by Greg Mulholland (Liberal Democrat) on Friday, 15 July 2005, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 20 July 2005. It was answered by Liam Byrne (Labour) on Thursday, 21 July 2005 on behalf of the Department of Health.

Health Service Job Losses

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what assessment her Department has made of the planned job losses in Leeds hospitals; and if she will take steps to ensure the standard of health care provision will not change as a consequence of these proposals;

Answer: [holding answer 20 July 2005]: National health service trusts have a statutory responsibility to ensure financial balance. Leeds teaching hospitals NHS trust is working with its primary care trust partners and the west Yorkshire strategic health authority (SHA) to ensure that it achieves financial balance. The trust has put in place a service improvement plan that will redesign services to offer better treatment for patients with a greater emphasis on an increased use of community-based services. The strategic health authority is confident that the trust will deliver financial balance while maintaining levels of service to patients.I have no plans to meet with representatives of the hospital staff unions.

Secondary information