John Baron MP: East of England SHA promises to review £5 million ‘loan’

Having met with South West Essex PCT last Friday, and questioned East of England Strategic Health Authority (SHA) about their demand for a £5 million ‘loan’ from SW Essex PCT, John Baron MP has secured a promise that this will be reviewed by Neil McKay, Chief Executive of the SHA.

John said:

“I am very concerned that the SHA has demanded a £5m ‘loan’ from our local PCT which it proposes to use to help fund deficits in other parts of the Region.  Having pressed the SHA on this issue and spoken with them today, I have been promised that it will now review this demand – the figure itself having now been reduced to £3.5m.”

“At a time when local Health Services are under pressure because of the whole deficit issue, I do not want local residents suffering because of cutbacks in existing or planned services and treatments.  One example of this being the lack funding of drugs which can quite literally save sight – a recent report suggesting that SW Essex PCT is not doing enough to fund such treatment.”

“East of England SHA has promised to come back to me within the next couple of weeks.  I have put our case to them, but the decision ultimately rests with them.  My hope is that we can eliminate this ‘loan’ demand for the benefit of local residents.”