CITY'S NHS IS 'LIVING ON THE EDGE' - GIDLEY

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Mon 30th Jun 2008

City MP, Sandra Gidley has obtained figures from the Southampton University Hospitals Trust, which show that Southampton General Hospital has been regularly placed on its highest levels of alert - black* and red* - since mid 2006.

Last year, the hospital was placed on the highest level of crisis alert - 'black alert' - for three days, yet was on red alert for 64% of the year (234 days). From January to April this year, the hospital has been on black alert five times and on red alert for 67 days.

Commenting today, Sandra, who is the Liberal Democrat Shadow Minister for Public Health said:

"This is an appalling state of affairs which must end. The people of Southampton deserve a good quality of healthcare that they can rely upon, not a local health service that is living on the edge.

"Local NHS staff must be concerned that, rather than being the exception, a red alert is fast becoming the norm, while black alerts seem to be a regular occurrence.

"The blame here has to lie with the government and not with the staff. The centrally imposed targets that are placed upon hospitals only further the pressures on doctors, nurses and paramedics who are not allowed to respond to the needs of local people and only allowed to respond to government dictates."

Sandra, who also sits on the influential Health Select Committee in parliament, expressed concern at the 92% bed occupancy in Southampton General, which Trust bosses have claimed is 'satisfactory'.

"All of the evidence shows that 85% bed occupancy is the optimum level required to give the best care" added Sandra. "Occupancy rates have been too high in the past as a result of government financial pressures and I am keen to work with the Trust to work towards this aim and resist any further government interference."

ENDS