Lamb Secures All-Party Meeting On Norfolk NHS Funding 'Black Hole'

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Tue 9th Sep 2003

Norman Lamb, the Liberal Democrat MP for North Norfolk, together with Labour and Conservative MPs in Norfolk, will be meeting with the new Health Minister Stephen Ladyman, this Thursday (11 September) to discuss the funding crisis in Norfolk's NHS economy.

NHS Trusts in Norfolk are facing a deficit of over £18 million this year. Refinancing of the PFI deal for the new Norfolk & Norwich University Hospital will free up over £100 million, but the bulk of this will go to the private company involved. The NHS could benefit to the tune of £40 million, but there is a question mark over whether it will be paid out as a lump sum or over the lifetime of the contract.

Commenting, Norman Lamb said:

"The all-party meeting this Thursday is crucial and timely. I understand that a decision on the PFI refinancing is due in the next two weeks. I and the other Norfolk MPs will be pressing Stephen Ladyman to approve release of the money as a lump sum, in order to deliver a much-needed immediate funding injection to health services in Norfolk."

Also attending the meeting at the Department of Health will be Gillian Shephard, Charles Clarke, Keith Simpson, Richard Bacon and Tony Wright.