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Bed push protest over NHS budget | Bed push protest over NHS budget |
(about 3 hours later) | |
A bed push between two hospitals in London and Surrey has been staged by campaigners in protest at "rising debts" at Epsom and St Helier NHS. | |
Two MPs joined the bed push on Saturday between St Helier hospital in Carshalton and Epsom Hospital, Surrey. | |
Sutton MP Paul Burstow said the trust was now being "forced to save almost twice the £24m asked of it last year". | Sutton MP Paul Burstow said the trust was now being "forced to save almost twice the £24m asked of it last year". |
The NHS trust said it saved £20m last year and had a £21 target next year which was about savings not overspends. | The NHS trust said it saved £20m last year and had a £21 target next year which was about savings not overspends. |
A spokeswoman said the trust's predicted £7.3m overspend this year had actually been £5.4m which was "better than predicted". | A spokeswoman said the trust's predicted £7.3m overspend this year had actually been £5.4m which was "better than predicted". |
Feeling about our local hospital services ... is as strong as ever Chris Grayling MP | Feeling about our local hospital services ... is as strong as ever Chris Grayling MP |
She said the £20m and £21m savings were about being "more efficient". | She said the £20m and £21m savings were about being "more efficient". |
"Less people are going into hospital and more are being treated by GPs and in the community," she said. | "Less people are going into hospital and more are being treated by GPs and in the community," she said. |
"The trust is doing very well in turning around its finances and it is only sensible to reflect the changes in the NHS." | "The trust is doing very well in turning around its finances and it is only sensible to reflect the changes in the NHS." |
But campaign group Health Emergency has warned of both job and service cuts under the savings plans. | But campaign group Health Emergency has warned of both job and service cuts under the savings plans. |
And Epsom and Ewell MP Chris Grayling said there was now "a very real possibility that St Helier, Epsom and Guildford Hospitals will all be downgraded". | |
He added: "We want the NHS to realise that the strength of feeling about our local hospital services and about the future of Epsom Hospital is as strong as ever." | |
He said protesters were gathering at St Helier at about 0900 BST for campaign speeches before the march got under way. | He said protesters were gathering at St Helier at about 0900 BST for campaign speeches before the march got under way. |
A letter of protest was being delivered to the trust at Epsom Hospital at about 1300 BST. | A letter of protest was being delivered to the trust at Epsom Hospital at about 1300 BST. |
The trust serves more than 420,000 people across south west London and Surrey. | The trust serves more than 420,000 people across south west London and Surrey. |
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