MP raises concerns in Parliament over expense of Southmead project
THE "crippling" costs of the new Southmead Hospital have been highlighted in Parliament.
North Bristol NHS Trust's project, which is worth £430 million, is costing taxpayers £37 million a year to repay under a Private Finance Initiative (PFI) deal.
Yesterday Kingswood MP Chris Skidmore, right, raised the matter in the Commons during questions to Health Secretary Andrew Lansley, who had previously suggested Southmead was one of a handful of schemes across the country that would struggle to meet PFI repayments.
Mr Lansley had said all PFI schemes were having their contracts reviewed for potential savings.
Mr Skidmore told MPs: "It can't be good value for money for the taxpayer and it can't be good value for money for the NHS." Mr Lansley said it was difficult to adjust contracts inherited from the previous government, adding: "We have to try and ensure that we use them cost effectively."
Mr Skidmore said it was not right for future generations to be "saddled" with the costs of the hospital.
North Bristol bosses have previously insisted the PFI deal represents "good value for money" and will not damage patient care.
Later Bristol East MP Kerry McCarthy was accused by Mr Lansley of trying to "smear" him after she asked a question about donations from private healthcare provider Care UK. In 2009 the company's chairman John Nash gave £21,000 to fund Mr Lansley's personal office while he was shadow health secretary.
6 Comments
by frank1958
Friday, February 24 2012, 5:11PM
“Would not have had this if they had stayed at frenchay.”
by portsladelad
Friday, February 24 2012, 4:10PM
“They should try using the NSMC's Value for Money tool to calculate ROI on smoking, breastfeeding, alcohol, bowel cancer and obesity interventions. For more info click here:
http://tinyurl.com/7dzvrmc”
by harryreg_uk
Wednesday, February 22 2012, 8:29PM
“PFI deals were highlighted on Panorama years ago as a complete and utter rip-off but Labour chose to ignore the findings and just kept on spending our money.
Their obsessive squandering of the public purse will take generations to pay off but Blair's alright though, the richest ex-prime minister (& socialist) in history with £60+ million has no worries!”
by roly12345
Wednesday, February 22 2012, 7:56PM
“Just to put £430 million into some kind of perspective.
That's the equivalent of building a 4000 home housing estate, or a couple of Bradley Stokes. (Southmead Unit trust ventures already owned the land)
Who in the name of Ken Dodd signs up unborn children to pay for this generations greed and incompetence.
If the buildings were made of Italian marble, I would still be asking where the rest of the money was and we all know the entire site will be levelled within the 25 year lifespan as the cardboard supports and paper roof turn to dust.”
by mismanaged
Wednesday, February 22 2012, 6:06PM
“Re the donation, isn't this what used to be known as corruption?”
by matic_113
Wednesday, February 22 2012, 5:22PM
“This will be the last of our worries when the 'Blues' have finished with their 'changes' to the NHS.”