Government's reforms puts hospitals under pressure

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Fri 18th Aug 2006

Commenting on the findings of a BBC investigation that at least 10 major hospitals are in discussions over their future, Liberal Democrat Health Spokesperson, Sandra Gidley MP said:

"The Government's ever-changing reforms are placing hospital trusts under enormous pressure.

"With reviews of services under way in hospitals around the country, the Government cannot continue to deny that deficits are affecting frontline patient care.

"We have been warning for a long time that the permanent revolution in the NHS will disrupt services and harm patient care.

"The Government is centralising care in new super-hospitals, while claiming that services will reflect what local people want.

"Any move in the location of care must be in the best interests of patients and reflect the needs of the local community."