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Responsibility for NHS deficits lies with legacy seeking reforms - Webb

9.12.40pm BST (GMT +0100) Wed 7th Jun 2006

NHS

Commenting on the publication of unaudited financial figures for NHS trusts showing a total deficit of over £500 million, Liberal Democrat Shadow Health Secretary, Steve Webb MP said "It takes a special sort of mismanagement to spend record billions on the NHS and still have hospitals cutting frontline staff in financial rescue packages.

"The Government sets NHS pay centrally, sets NHS targets centrally and sets the cost of an operation centrally. Then, when the sums don't add up, they say it is the fault of local management.

"Most changes currently taking place in the NHS are not about rational reform and long-term planning, they are emergency responses to a financial crisis.

"What is needed is not endless reform in a desperate attempt to deliver the Prime Minister an empty legacy. Instead, the NHS needs time to put its house in order and a period of stability."

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Previous news story: UK colluded in CIA terror flights claims Swiss MP (Wed 7th Jun 2006).
Next news story: DNA database out of control - Featherstone (Wed 7th Jun 2006).

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