KEETCH SEEKS ASSURANCE OVER NHS JOB CUTS

10.42.02am BST (GMT +0100) Tue 11th Apr 2006

Following news that 720 jobs will go in the National Health Service in Worcestershire, Hereford's MP, Paul Keetch, has met with officials from Herefordshire's Primary Care Trust to discuss the situation and its possible impact on Herefordshire. The MP has also corresponded with senior officials of Herefordshire Hospitals NHS Trust to ascertain the position for staff at County Hospital.

Simon Hairsnape, the Deputy Chief Executive of the local Primary Care Trust told Mr Keetch that Herefordshire PCT had a balanced budget and he expected no redundancies this side of the Malvern Hills.

Regarding Herefordshire Hospitals NHS Trust, Mr Keetch has received assurance that no service reductions are envisaged at this time.

"I was pleased to be reassured by Simon Hairsnape that the situation in Herefordshire is considerably better than in Worcestershire," said Mr Keetch.

"Following news of the redundancies in Worcestershire I have been contacted by constituents worrying that redundancies may follow in Herefordshire.

"This looks very unlikely but I will continue to monitor the situation and work with local health professionals and managers to press for as much investment locally as possible."