REDBRIDGE: Debt-ridden hospital trust could get bailout (From East London and West Essex Guardian Series)

REDBRIDGE: Debt-ridden hospital trust could get bailout

9:39am Saturday 4th February 2012 in News By Joe Curtis

A CASH-STRAPPED hospital trust may qualify for a share of £1.5 billion Government bail out.

Barking, Havering and Redbridge University NHS Trust (BHRUT) could receive the money to pay off debt arising from the building of Queen’s Hospital in Romford in 2006.

The hospital was financed under a private finance initiative (PFI) worth £835 million, but the scheme has left the trust with a crippling debts totalling £150 million.

Health Secretary Andrew Lansley announced last week that BHRUT is one of seven trusts being considered for emergency funding.

BHRUT was criticised last year by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) for failing to deliver quality care ay Queen’s and King George in Goodmayes.

The Government has told the trust it cannot push ahead with a plan to close King George until standards at Queen’s are raised.

However, health campaigners are sceptical that the trust will be able to meet strict criteria to qualify for the bail out cash.

These include delivering high quality services and large annual savings.

The trust has already missed its deadline for re-introducing non-emergency caesarean sections to Queens after they were temporarily diverted to Homerton last year due to concerns over patient safety.

And a plan to re-open a ward at King George for post-natal care to ease pressure on Queen’s is yet to be approved by commissioners, including GPs.

Campaigner Neil Zammett said: “They have to satisfy the CQC and Department of Health before they can even access the money that would help them achieve good care.

“They have a long way to go to satisfy those targets. They have already missed their deadline of returning C-sections.

“The money is great news but does not change our position on King George. Redbridge has a growing population and needs a local hospital to cater for it.”

A total of 12 women or their relatives are currently suing BHRUT over the standard of care received on the Queen’s maternity ward.

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