Julian presses Ministers on York NHS winter funding
February 6, 2018
Julian this morning pressed Ministers at the Department of Health to make sure that York receives its fair share of the additional funding announced to help the health service deal with winter pressures in the Autumn Budget.
York Hospital Trust has already received some extra funding under this winter package, but the release of the remainder of its share has not yet been approved by the central body NHS Improvement, which has yet to reach agreement with local health bosses on how this new money relates to the Trust’s overall financial position.
During questions to the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, Jeremy Hunt, in the House of Commons, Julian asked:
“With York’s local health service in special measures, the additional funding in the Budget for winter health pressures was very welcome, and I’m pleased to say that York NHS has already received a tranche of this. However, the remainder of York’s share has not been released, although discussions are ongoing with NHS Improvement. So could the Secretary of State commit to look into this matter as a matter of urgency?”
In response, the Health Secretary confirmed he would do this.
On leaving the House, Julian said: “Having been told that there was this hold up in York Hospital Trust receiving all of its share of this new funding at a regular update meeting at the Hospital last Friday, I thought it was important to raise this with the government as soon as possible.
I was glad to hear Jeremy Hunt commit to look into York’s case, and I therefore hope that the Hospital Trust’s talks with central NHS authorities will soon conclude with the rest of this money being released for our city without further delay. I will certainly continue to keep an eye on this to ensure the issue is resolved in the interests of local residents.”
To watch Julian questioning the Health Secretary, please click here
