David Ruffley MP has today criticised Suffolk West PCT for their poor performance in vaccinating the over-65 population against influenza.

In November 2005 David Ruffley highlighted the trust's poor performance in previous years, however, they failed to heed his advice and remain one of the worst performers in Norfolk, Suffolk and Cambridgeshire and performed below the national average for the period October 2005 to January 2006.

New figures, published today by the Information Centre for Health and Social Care, reveal that between October 2005 and January 2006 Suffolk West PCT vaccinated 74 percent of the over-65 population against influenza compared with 79 percent in Central Suffolk, 77 percent in Ipswich, and 81 percent in Suffolk Coastal.

David said:

'This is an issue I raised with the Suffolk West Chief Executive, Mike Stonard, in November of last year yet, once again, they failed to adequately address the issue.

'As the winter flu season approaches it is of the utmost importance that the highest number of people possible are given a flu vaccination.

'I will be writing to the Chief Executive of the new Suffolk PCT, Carole Taylor-Brown, asking what steps her PCT will be taking to rectify this performance in West Suffolk.

'Historically we have not been vaccinating enough of our over-65 population and unless we deal with the situation it could have serious repercussions.'