The announcement that Haringey Primary Care Trust (PCT) has been successful in its bid for capital funds to build a new community hospital in the borough has been welcomed by the Liberal Democrats. However, the party has warned that the large £5.5 million shortfall will have a have a big impact on the Trust’s finances as it is forced to finance more of the Hospital building through the private sector.

The Department of Health unveiled a £1.5 million cash injection on 11th April 2007 that will be used to build the new Hornsey Central Hospital. Lib Dems estimate the PCT will have to find at least £93,500 more per year to finance the hospital. The worst-case scenario would see the PCT having to find an extra £357,000 per year.

Lynne Featherstone, MP for Hornsey and Wood Green comments:

“After such a long campaign, it is a relief that this £1.5 million will go some way to get this long awaited project off the ground. Whilst many hospitals such as Chase Farm are threatened with closure, we can at least start the redevelopment of Hornsey Hospital.

“I am, however, very disappointed that the Government hasn’t provided the full £7 million requested. The Health Trust will now have to rely more on private finance to build the new facility, and experience shows this can be very costly in the long run.”

Cllr Richard Wilson, Haringey Lib Dem Health spokesperson adds:

“While this money is welcomed by the Lib Dems the fact that only £1.5 million rather than the £7 million has been awarded will mean that in the long term the PCT will have to find extra money to fill the shortfall. The Health Trust’s own figure’s show that raising the missing £5.5m through the private sector could increase the costs of the Hornsey Hospital project by up to £350,000 a year. This means less money to spend on vital health services in the new hospital and elsewhere in the borough.”