Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what assessment he has made of the forecast of a £29 million deficit for Kings College Hospital; and what steps he is taking to protect health services in Bromley.

We are advised that Monitor has held several meetings with King’s College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and has requested information from the trust to help identify the reasons for the current year-end deficit forecast. The Trust has commissioned external support to assist in the development of a robust recovery plan which will ensure the trust’s mid-term financial sustainability.

We also understand that Bromley Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) is working closely with the Trust to ensure that the Trust’s financial issues do not adversely affect the quality of care for patients.

The CCG is investing nearly £20 million in additional out-of-hospital services in Bromley through the Better Care Fund. Increased investment of £2.5 million has also been made available for out-of-hours care in Bromley during the winter period.