Write Off Debts, Provide More Beds Say Conservatives
East Surrey Conservative Peter Ainsworth has joined forces with his neighbouring colleagues to press for a radical solution to the crisis at East Surrey Hospital. The Conservatives have written to Simon Robbins, Chief Executive of Surrey & Sussex Strategic Health Authority setting out a number of concerns:
With the hospital's bed occupancy rate at 98%, there is little scope for efficiency gains;
There are reports of managers pressurising junior doctors to discharge patients early;
There are not enough acute beds to meet existing needs, let alone the needs of a growing population;
There are rumours that the Trust is considering large scale redundancies. Any such move would be "disastrous".
The Copnservatives say that the hospital's accumulated debts should be written off, and that an urgent review is needed of the number beds available so that the Trust can meet demand.
Peter Ainsworth comments: "The Surrey & Sussex Trust is staggering from one crisis to the next. Unless radical action is taken, the situation is likely to deteriorate further. The Trust faces the prospect of beginning the new financial year saddled with ever-rising debts, and services will remain under intolerable strain. It is time to draw a firm line under the problems of the past and give the Trust the chance for a fresh start." |
