"Hospital finances don't have to result in heart and stroke unit closures"- Farron

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Tue 22nd May 2007

Local MP Tim Farron used today's Health Questions in the House of Commons to highlight the financial situation of Morecambe Bay Hospital Trust. The Trust recently benefited from the change in rules which means that the Trust will not be financially penalised for being in deficit. Last summer's acute services review which recommended the closure of the heart and stroke units was motivated by financial problems, which have now largely been removed.

Mr Farron asked Health Minister Andy Burnham if he would consider a moratorium on such closures since the financial imperative behind the plans has now disappeared. The Minister refused to comment on the idea before September after which time all options will have been considered.

After Health Questions, Mr Farron said:

"The people of South Lakeland should not be placed in danger by cuts to hospital services when those cuts are not necessary. The heart and stroke units should remain open at Westmorland General now that the Trust will not be saddled with a huge financial penalty."