Oral Answers to Questions

Lord Austin of Dudley Excerpts

Tuesday 21st October 2014 Commons Chamber

[Mr Hunt]

I absolutely recognise that, and I congratulate my hon. Friend on the very close interest he takes in what is happening at Kettering hospital. I have visited the hospital, as he knows, and think that it is working very hard and that it offers a very good example of how, even when times are tough, finances are tough and there is increasing pressure from an ageing population, it is possible to increase and improve A and E performance. It has done a terrific job.

[Ian Austin (Dudley North) (Lab)]

4. What estimate he has made of the number of NHS trusts forecasting a deficit.

[The Secretary of State for Health (Mr Jeremy Hunt)]

Eighty-six NHS trusts are forecasting a deficit this year.

[Ian Austin]

Jobs at Russells Hall hospital are at risk as managers battle with a £12 million deficit that the chief executive says is critical. Staff are working flat out, but people are still waiting too long in A and E, and too long for other treatment. What will the Secretary of State do to ensure that patients in Dudley and the hard-working staff at Russells Hall get the support they need?

[Mr Hunt]

I will tell the hon. Gentleman exactly what we are doing. The Dudley Group NHS Foundation Trust has 350 additional nurses this Parliament, and it has got them because this Government took the difficult decision to protect and increase the NHS budget, because those of us on the Government Benches know that a strong NHS needs a strong economy. We are taking measures, but there is more to do. I recognise that the staff on the front line are working very hard, but I think that he should also give credit when things are starting to move in the right direction.