§ 8. Mr. James Gray (North Wiltshire)What the level is of indebtedness of the Kennet and North Wiltshire PCT. [75357]
§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Health (Ms Hazel Blears)Kennet and North Wiltshire primary care trust started the current financial year with a range of financial pressures, causing an underlying shortfall of £10.89 million. It received £3.3 million after applying to the NHS bank for support. The health authority will work with the trust to develop a three-year recovery plan to address the underlying shortfall.
§ Mr. GrayIt is amazing how Labour Ministers manage to spin things to make even the worst possible news sound wonderful. There is an £11 million debt in respect of the PCT, and a further £22 million debt hangs over it as a result of the shambles at the Royal United hospital in Bath. I am meeting the Minister of State this afternoon to discuss a parallel crisis in mental health care funding in North Wiltshire, which has also resulted in a huge debt. What can the Minister possibly say to the people of Wiltshire, who face a deep and damaging crisis in every aspect of health provision in the county?
§ Ms BlearsThis is a serious situation, and clearly the primary care trust will not be left to face it on its own; it is a matter on which the whole health community should work together. For the first time ever, there will be a three-year allocation to enable planning over the longer term to meet the demands of the community. I have already told the hon. Gentleman that I am perfectly happy to meet him and his colleagues to discuss the situation. He will also be aware, however, that his health community has had a massive increase in expenditure in the past few years, and that the biggest ever investment in the NHS will take place over the next three years. If he has problems about funding, I must ask him seriously why his party is not prepared to match our commitment to increasing investment in the NHS.