National research shows Bedford Hospital as one of the most under pressure

11.45.44am GMT Fri 28th Jul 2006

Bedford Hospital

Bedford Hospital Trust was named as one of sixteen acute hospital trusts in England that are under the strongest pressure that could lead to loss of services or even closure for some. These are the findings of Liberal Democrat research published this week.

The major new research study shows that the Government's NHS reforms are seriously destabilizing district general hospitals in England.

Local Liberal Democrat councillor, Michael Headley said "It is very worrying that taking into account all the areas of risk, Bedford is seen as one of the 16 hospital trusts with the highest risks in the country. Decisions are being taken about the future of services at our hospital, but there is no direct accountability to local people. It is time there was less meddling from central government and more control that is directly answerable to local people."

Commenting on the overall situation, Liberal Democrat Shadow Health Secretary, Steve Webb MP said: "Labour has unleashed powerful forces in the NHS through its market-fixated reforms and constantly changing financial arrangements. They have created great instability with many hospital trusts facing huge financial pressure. Despite Ministerial denials, it will be patients who suffer from cuts in frontline services. It is a scandal the Government feigns ignorance about the direction of travel for the NHS. If Ministers are aware that district general hospitals may close, then they should come clean so there can be a genuine debate instead of leaving patients to the mercy of market forces. It is unacceptable that changes made in the NHS are too often made by unelected bodies answerable only to the Health Secretary. Consultation is frequently just an exercise in rubber-stamping a decision that has already been made. It is time the Government came clean about the financial crisis in many of our district general hospitals and listens to what communities want for their local NHS."