***SOS*** Reaction to NHS Consultation

12.14.25pm GMT Thu 8th Nov 2007

Cllr Quinton, local NHS spokesperson.

Cllr Nigel Quinton says:

Having now had time to read the reports from the Health Scrutiny Committee more thoroughly, it is clear that large holes remain in the financial case being put against the building of a new hospital in Hatfield. It is notable that the NHS has only carried out a long term financial assessment in response to questions raised by contributors to the consultation - notably Welwyn Hatfield Council - and had not done this assessment when it made its decision to exclude Hatfield from the consultation. Unsurprisingly the new analysis backs up their previous "back of an envelope" calculations, and the county scrutiny process has not had the resources to seriously test their assumptions.

This government has tripled health spending since 1997 and four years ago promised us a new hospital, and when you strip away all the technicalities, what we are being told is that Hertfordshire will not get a new hospital because there is not enough cash. It is nothing short of scandalous.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Nigel Quinton

Mobile: 07971 860415 Email: nigel.quinton@btinternet.com