'How will this help Brookfields?' - MP asks Health Secretary

12.00.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Thu 6th Jul 2006

David Howarth, MP for Cambridge, has today asked Patricia Hewitt how she will help Brookfields Hospital in Cambridge, where 3 wards are faced with permanent closure.

Mr. Howarth spoke during Patricia Hewitt's statement this morning on Community Hospitals. The Health Secretary was announcing new capital funding for hospitals but was ignoring the continuing problem of revenue funding to cover the day-to-day costs of running health services.

Mr. Howarth commented:

"It makes little sense for the Health Secretary to be announcing extra capital funds when wards around the country, and in Brookfields Hospital, are likely to be closed permanently due to deficits in revenue funding. This is the problem that needs solving. I want to know how Patricia Hewitt plans to help the wards in Brookfields.

"This Government seems obsessed with starting new projects and then fails to make sure that there is sufficient revenue funding to allow our hospitals and schools to keep up with the rising costs they face."

David Howarth and ward councillor Catherine Smart outside the threatened wards

Three wards at Brookfields Hospital, Mill Road are faced with closure as part of the proposed £37M of savings to reduce the deficit in Cambridge City and South Cambridgeshire Primary Care Trusts.