Vince Cable

The government has announced an 8.1% increase in spending on health (through the Richmond and Twickenham Primary Care Trust) next year (2006/7) and the year after (2007/8). Although this is one of the lowest growth rates in the country it is still an increase in real terms on money spent on local GP and hospital services.

MP Vincent Cable said, after the minister's announcement in parliament, that "the extra government money is welcome but we should not get too carried away. It has to cover extra funding for new doctor's contracts plus the Working Time Directive and other projects which wont do anything for patients. Nonetheless, the steady expansion in NHS funding is gradually improving services".

"Our problems locally mainly stem from financial stresses in Hounslow since the deficits and debts of the health service in Hounslow feed through into cuts and poor service at the West Middlesex, which large numbers of our residents use".