London SHA sounds warning over Sutton and Merton - Burstow

5.19.00pm UTC (GMT +0000) Mon 21st May 2007

Paul Burstow, MP for Sutton and Cheam has written to Sutton and Merton Primary Care Trust after learning that it fell in the bottom category for financial management when reviewed by the London SHA.

Sutton and Merton scored 1 out of 4 in the finance category, which was described as being those Trusts with 'significant deficit' at 'high risk' of not achieving financial balance. The rating placed the Trust in the lowest 25% of London's Primary Care Trusts.

Mr Burstow has written to Caroline Taylor, Chief Executive of the Trust, to ask for information on what steps have been taken to improve the situation in Sutton and Merton since the ratings were finalised. He also asked for information about the expected impact of the Trust's financial problems on future care provision and investment in local care facilities.

Commenting on the findings, Paul Burstow MP said:

"In the light of the chaos at Epsom and St Helier, the news that Sutton and Merton is unlikely to reach financial balance before the year end is worrying indeed."

"I hope that Ms Taylor is able to reassure me that the financial problems affecting the Trust will not impact on the range and quality of services in our area."