Loan sparks fear of longer NHS queues

1:49pm Wednesday 2nd August 2006

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Patients in south Essex may face longer waiting times and fewer services as the NHS is forced to hand over millions of pounds to bail out debt-ridden health departments in other counties.

The East of England Strategic Health Authority is demanding an unspecified amount as a loan from the South West Essex Primary Care Trust, which covers Basildon, Thurrock, Billericay, Wickford and Brentwood.

The money, which could run into millions, will be used to balance the books of ailing PCTs in Hertfordshire, Suffolk, Norfolk, Cambridgeshire and Bedfordshire.

Basildon PCT has already forked out £6.1million to help the areas which are in the red.

Now there are fears the extra loan could impact on patient services, increase waiting times and affect staff morale.

Billericay & District MP John Baron says he believes the figure will be £5million and is "increasingly alarmed" at the cash demands.

He said: "I have always been concerned that NHS restructuring would result in money being diverted from our local PCTs to other parts of the region.

"This is now happening and threatens to significantly harm patient care in our communities.

"These loans must be resisted at all costs."

To put the figure into context, closing all the health centres in Basildon, Billericay and Wickford, would not save £5million.

Martin Cresswell, spokesman for the Basildon PCT, explained how the diversion of funds is needed so all the PCTs in the east of England are on an equal financial footing by 2008.

He said the money will be a temporary loan until recovery plans, which are in place in the failing areas at the moment, begin to take effect.

He said: "Everybody is doing all they can.

"Everyone is getting more money from the Government and the money will be coming back.

"It's a process which the NHS is going through to bring financial balance.

"We will still be getting more money in cash terms but we are evaluating the impact on patient services."

Hazel Thomson, speaking for the East of England Strategic Health Authority, explained how they have a responsibility for the overall finances of the NHS.

But she emphasised no amount of money had been decided on yet.

She said: "The health authority is still in discussions with PCTs about the level of repayable support that some PCTs might offer to others, including from the new South West Essex PCT.

"Any loans that are agreed would still leave the PCT with a significant level of funding for growth."