MPs CONGRATULATE HOSPITAL AND URGE GOVERNMENT TO MAKE FAIRER FUNDING DECISION

1.50.00pm UTC (GMT +0000) Tue 24th Jun 2008

Cornwall's five Liberal Democrat MPs have tabled a special parliamentary motion welcoming the publishing of a report praising the staff of the Royal Cornwall Hospital Trust in Truro, but have warned that their hard work is at risk of going to waste if Government fails to address the unfair funding formula that sees Cornwall's low local wages linked to poor NHS funding.

The report by the Healthcare Commission placed the Royal Cornwall Hospital Trust at the top of the their 'most improved hospital' league table after noting a 51.8% improvement in the Trust's scores and full compliance with 35 of the Commission's 44 'core standards'.

Cornwall's MPs have tabled an Early Day Motion in the House of Commons recognising the hard work and professionalism of the staff and management and congratulating them on their achievement.

However, the MPs have also issued a stark warning that unless Government takes decisive action to cut the link between low local wages and NHS funding there is a risk that the hospital's hard work will have been in vain. Currently the funding formula used to calculate NHS funds is linked to local wages. Cornwall has some of the country's lowest local wages resulting in significantly lower per head funding for local people than the national average. After meeting with the Health Minister in May Cornwall's MPs secured the promise of a decision on making the funding formula fairer by July. The MPs are urging the Government not to waste the opportunity to support the hard working staff of the Royal Cornwall Hospital Trust.

Commenting, Chair of the Team for Cornwall Matthew Taylor MP said:

"The Healthcare Commission's report highlights the incredible work being done everyday by the staff of the Royal Cornwall Hospital Trust who provide excellent care to local people. At present, however, the unfair formula used to calculate NHS funding leaves these same staff facing an uphill battle as they struggle to maintain the high standards acknowledged by the report whilst receiving per patient funding well below the national average. The report offers us the chance not only to let Cornwall's NHS staff know how much the community appreciates their efforts but, also to once again urge Government to cut the link between low local wages and NHS funding."

MP for Falmouth & Camborne Julia Goldsworthy added:

"A fair deal for the funding of our health service would give staff and patients in Cornwall a level playing field when it comes to resourcing our local NHS. At the moment, staff are achieving miracles, in spite of, not because of the funding formula which has been left unchanged for too long by successive Conservative and Labour governments. The best way for the Government to recognise the achievements in today's Health Commission report would be to give people in Cornwall a fair deal."