HARDCORE OF NHS TRUSTS STILL DEEP IN DEBT - LAMB

10.22.22am GMT Tue 11th Dec 2007

Commenting on the publication today of the summarised accounts for the NHS by the National Audit Office, Liberal Democrat Shadow Health Secretary, Norman Lamb MP said: "The much-trumpeted surplus does not give the full picture. NHS finances are held together by an intricate web of loans and top slicing, which conceal the true extent of the problems. In reality, some trusts will be paying back NHS loans for over 25 years."

"This hardcore of trusts are still deep in debt, cutting services and jobs in order to get back into the black. As always, it is patients who will ultimately suffer."