Vince Cable

Concern is being expressed (following Evening Standard story of 09/08/06) that NHS Trusts (like Richmond and Twickenham) might be 'raided' to finance the deficits of other Trusts which are in serious debt - Richmond and Twickenham PCT was one of only 16 (out of 42) NHS bodies in "the black" last financial year.

Vincent Cable MP said he was "very concerned" at what seemed to be well sourced accounts: "I was assured a few months ago that our local NHS PCT was in good financial shape and that local residents would be therefore spared the damaging cuts in NHS services we have seen elsewhere. The local Trust has been prudently run and should not be penalised for being successful; indeed, Patricia Hewitt has categorically stated that that will not happen.

"The new strategic body controlling the NHS in London is saying that any money taken from Richmond and Twickenham will be repaid with interest but we do need some reassurance that this process is being managed fairly and not as a panic measure."