Christopher Fraser, MP for South West Norfolk, has spoken of his alarm at reports that acute hospitals that serve his constituency are on “black alert”, and that the Norfolk & Norwich University Hospital has declared a major incident in order to discharge patients and free up beds.
Christopher Fraser said: “it is extraordinary that this news should come as the same time as the announcement that the NHS is expected to be £1.8 billion in surplus in the current financial year.
“This is some 2 percent of the total budget for the NHS, and it would be shameful if it is left unspent. The gain to the Government is an unforgiveable loss to patients who are waiting for treatment or who need drugs that the NHS has refused to fund.
“It is further evidence that the Government, through attempts to micro-manage public services, have lost control of the agenda. The NHS must operate within its means, but it is time that we moved from NHS cuts and top-down targets to a situation where doctors are trusted to make decisions, based on patient need.
“I shall be raising the matter in the House of Commons.”
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