Wednesday 19 July 2006

Anger over 'legality' of NHS cuts

A Cornish district council boss is questioning the legality of an NHS trust's plans to cut health services, says the BBC.

Penwith Council chief executive Jim McKenna has written to the Royal Cornwall Hospitals Trust over proposals for hospitals in Hayle and Penzance.

He has questioned plans to close St Michael's Hospital and cuts at the West Cornwall Hospital given that the county council has not been consulted.

The Royal Cornwall Hospitals Trust's chief was unavailable for comment.

The NHS in Cornwall is facing a potential £31m deficit. The Trust is cutting costs and 300 jobs to try to reduce the projected deficit. Emergency surgery will not be carried out at the West Cornwall Hospital from the end of August.

No comments: