More foundation hospitals could spell more problems for the NHS

5.38.59pm GMT Mon 7th Nov 2005

Responding to the announcement that more hospitals are to be given the opportunity to become foundation hospitals, Liberal Democrat Shadow Health Secretary Steve Webb MP said:

"The foundation trust policy continues to fragment the NHS by setting an elite system of favoured trusts above other hospitals.

"Hospitals are now facing greater financial uncertainty because of the government's market-based reforms, and even some of these elite foundation trusts are struggling to balance their books.

"The Government is destabilising the NHS and exposing more hospitals to financial risk and uncertainty. If the foundation trust policy is extended to a wider range of hospitals, taxpayers need to know that they will be able to manage the greater financial freedoms."