David Ruffley MP has reacted with dismay to Suffolk West Primary Care Trust's report for 2004/05 that was published yesterday.

David said: 'I have today written to Colin Muge, the Chairman of the Trust demanding an immediate explanation as to why in the Trust's annual Report this week management costs rose by a colossal £350,000 in the year to March 2005. The managers are spending more on themselves at a time when the deficit is out of control and front line healthcare will be cut as a result. What on earth are they doing? How can more managers costing £350,000 be the answer to our problems when beds and wards are being closed. I can hardly believe it.'

In the report Chairman, Colin Muge, concedes that financial difficulties 'will put enormous pressure on the services we can offer over the next few years'. The trust is facing a year end deficit of £12.5 million while spending on management and administration has gone up by £350,000 on the previous year.

David said:

'The NHS in Suffolk is going through its worst crisis in recent memory and the annual report from Suffolk West PCT brings no good news for my constituents.

'It is shocking, considering the financial constraints the PCT is under and the cutbacks we are facing across the region, that spending on management and administration has gone up 12 percent on the previous year.

'Government investment in the NHS is not reaching the place where it is needed the most- the front line services. It is our hardworking doctors and nurses who suffer and they will take little comfort from this report.

'The BMA survey published last week revealed that a third of respondents' trusts were intending to reduce services as a result of financial shortfalls. These reductions included such extreme measures as staff redundancies, ward closures and recruitment freezes. This Government has failed the NHS and failed the people of this country.'