NHS Has Failed Local People - Teather

10.00.00am GMT Thu 12th Apr 2007

Sarah Teather has met with the tPCT to voice local concerns

Local Liberal Democrat MP for Brent East, Sarah Teather, has called for urgent action after London Health bosses issued a damning report slamming the weak management of Brent tPCT.

Despite the tPCT implementing crippling budget cuts and bringing in external management consultants, the London Strategic Health Authority report declared that the trust remains at 'high risk'.

Not only is there a risk of Brent tPCT yet again failing to balance its books, but the trust is failing to ensure good governance in key areas. Health bosses identified a 'persistent or deliberate failure' to address other areas of governance.

None of Brent's neighbouring boroughs are at high risk.

Local Liberal Democrat MP for Brent East Sarah Teather said:

"This damning report shows that, despite huge budget cuts which are starting to have a crippling effect on local services, Brent tPCT remains highly vulnerable. Our local NHS has been serially mismanaged at every level.

"The tPCT has badly let down the local people it is supposed to serve. NHS Trusts need to be far more accountable to their local communities. Brent tPCT is appointed by Whitehall and answers directly to Patricia Hewitt. There can be little doubt that the buck stops with the Labour Government.

"The Government's determination to put targets first and Brent patients second has crippled our NHS. The Government must take immediate action to safeguard the future of local services."