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Cameron stands by NHS cut claim Cameron stands by NHS cut claim
(30 minutes later)
David Cameron is standing by claims 29 district hospitals are facing cuts to emergency and maternity services.David Cameron is standing by claims 29 district hospitals are facing cuts to emergency and maternity services.
The Tory leader admitted one hospital, in north-west England, had been wrongly named by him as being under threat.The Tory leader admitted one hospital, in north-west England, had been wrongly named by him as being under threat.
But he insisted all the others were facing potential cuts. The government says reviews are being carried out.But he insisted all the others were facing potential cuts. The government says reviews are being carried out.
It comes as Tory MP Henry Bellingham apologised to staff at his local hospital in King's Lynn, which he said had been wrongly included on the list.It comes as Tory MP Henry Bellingham apologised to staff at his local hospital in King's Lynn, which he said had been wrongly included on the list.
Mr Bellingham said the Queen Elizabeth hospital should have been consulted about the campaign.Mr Bellingham said the Queen Elizabeth hospital should have been consulted about the campaign.
"Obviously a mistake has been made and as a local MP I wasn't consulted on this and I apologise unreservedly to the staff of the hospital," the Norfolk North West MP told the BBC."Obviously a mistake has been made and as a local MP I wasn't consulted on this and I apologise unreservedly to the staff of the hospital," the Norfolk North West MP told the BBC.
People who pay their money to the NHS want to see their services saved not cut. David CameronConservative leader Q&A: Hospitals under threat A&E closures 'risk lives'People who pay their money to the NHS want to see their services saved not cut. David CameronConservative leader Q&A: Hospitals under threat A&E closures 'risk lives'
"I do think there's a lesson for all opposition parties, all parties actually and the government, if they are issuing a statement that affects an organisation, be it a hospital, the police, some school, they should always consult the chief executive or the headmaster or whoever it is.""I do think there's a lesson for all opposition parties, all parties actually and the government, if they are issuing a statement that affects an organisation, be it a hospital, the police, some school, they should always consult the chief executive or the headmaster or whoever it is."
However, Mr Cameron said that Queen Elizabeth hospital was under threat as it delivered under 3,000 live births per year - the level at which the strategic health authority decided a unit is not viable.However, Mr Cameron said that Queen Elizabeth hospital was under threat as it delivered under 3,000 live births per year - the level at which the strategic health authority decided a unit is not viable.
Another hospital on the Tory list does not have a maternity or accident and emergency facility. Another hospital, Altrincham General, named by the Tories as being under threat of losing its maternity and accident and emergency facilities does not have those departments.
'Angry patients''Angry patients'
Altrincham General Hospital in Trafford does have a minor injuries unit. Mr Cameron said the party had meant to name nearby Trafford General Hospital instead. Mr Cameron said the party had meant to name nearby Trafford General Hospital instead.
Any party making claims that are then directly disputed is on shaky ground BBC political correspondent Laura Kuenssberg Read Laura's thoughts in full Mr Cameron admitted that error but said: "We stand by what we have in our document and we could have included many other hospitals." Any party making claims that are then directly disputed is on shaky ground BBC political correspondent Laura Kuenssberg Read Laura's thoughts in full
He earlier met staff and patients at Sandwell General Hospital, which is not one of the 29 on the "at risk" list, but which the Tories say would have to absorb patients if Birmingham's City Hospital suffered cuts. He admitted the error but added: "We stand by what we have in our document and we could have included many other hospitals."
Mr Cameron earlier met staff and patients at Sandwell General Hospital, which is not one of the 29 on the "at risk" list, but which the Tories say would have to absorb patients if Birmingham's City Hospital suffered cuts.
He responded to firm denials by a number of the named hospitals, including City Hospital, that units were under threat.He responded to firm denials by a number of the named hospitals, including City Hospital, that units were under threat.
"It is certainly the case that at least 29 hospitals face the threat of reconfiguration or outright closure," he said. "It's up to them to show that services are not at risk. All the examples we have drawn are taken from consultation documents.""It is certainly the case that at least 29 hospitals face the threat of reconfiguration or outright closure," he said. "It's up to them to show that services are not at risk. All the examples we have drawn are taken from consultation documents."
He said patients were angry at proposed changes to district general hospitals.He said patients were angry at proposed changes to district general hospitals.
"People cannot understand that cutting A&E and maternity units is progress," he said."People cannot understand that cutting A&E and maternity units is progress," he said.
"People who pay their money to the NHS want to see their services saved not cut.""People who pay their money to the NHS want to see their services saved not cut."
Trusts reactTrusts react
Sandwell and West Birmingham Hospitals NHS Trust said there was "no threat" to the accident and emergency department nor the maternity unit at City Hospital in Birmingham.Sandwell and West Birmingham Hospitals NHS Trust said there was "no threat" to the accident and emergency department nor the maternity unit at City Hospital in Birmingham.
Other NHS trusts have also contradicted the Conservative claims.Other NHS trusts have also contradicted the Conservative claims.
The Shrewsbury & Telford Hospital NHS Trust there is no threat to maternity services at the Princess Royal Hospital in Telford.The Shrewsbury & Telford Hospital NHS Trust there is no threat to maternity services at the Princess Royal Hospital in Telford.
The North Bristol NHS Trust - which covers Frenchay and Southmead hospitals - said Conservative claims that A&E services at Frenchay were under threat are "absolute rubbish". The North Bristol NHS Trust - which covers one of the hospitals on the Tory list, Frenchay - said Conservative claims were "absolute rubbish".
However, the A&E unit at Frenchay will be closed and a new one built at Southmead Hospital five miles away, where there is only a minor injury unit at the moment. The Trust said the A&E unit at Frenchay will be closed but a new one will be built at Southmead Hospital five miles away, where there is only a minor injury unit at the moment.
And the Oxford Radcliffe Hospitals NHS Trust, which is responsible for Horton hospital in Banbury, said there is no threat to its A&E unit and extra consultants were being employed there.And the Oxford Radcliffe Hospitals NHS Trust, which is responsible for Horton hospital in Banbury, said there is no threat to its A&E unit and extra consultants were being employed there.
Mr Cameron has promised a "bare knuckle fight" with Prime Minister Gordon Brown over district hospitals as he predicted it would be a key battleground at the next general election.Mr Cameron has promised a "bare knuckle fight" with Prime Minister Gordon Brown over district hospitals as he predicted it would be a key battleground at the next general election.
The government has said reviews into the future of district hospitals are being carried out.The government has said reviews into the future of district hospitals are being carried out.
"This does not mean wholesale closures of district general hospitals but it does mean that NHS clinicians and managers need to work with local communities to decide on the best organisation of services for patients in their areas," a health department spokesman said."This does not mean wholesale closures of district general hospitals but it does mean that NHS clinicians and managers need to work with local communities to decide on the best organisation of services for patients in their areas," a health department spokesman said.