Time Norris put health of local residents first

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Wed 11th Aug 2004

The Liberal Democrat Leader of Bath & North East Somerset Council, Cllr Paul Crossley, is calling on Labour MP Dan Norris to abandon his campaign against extra funding for the Royal United Hospital and back the cross party campaign to 'scrap the debt'.

Bath's Royal United Hospital, which serves the whole region including all of Mr. Norris' Wansdyke Constituency, is currently lumbered with a £25 million debt which Dan Norris believes the hospital should be forced to repay - even though this could impact on patient care and medical priorities.

Cllr Paul Crossley, Liberal Democrat Leader of the Council (Lib Dem; Southdown), says:

"Dan Norris is letting down his residents and all local people who rely on the excellent care at the Royal United Hospital.

"It is unbelievable that a local MP would lead a campaign to block extra funding for a local hospital. But even worse he is willing to see peoples lives risked to ensure the hospital repays the £25 million debt that has been caused by historic underfunding by his and previous governments.

"Now is a chance for Mr. Norris to back the campaign to scrap the debt and put local residents before national political games."

Liberal Democrat and Conservative politicians have both backed the campaign, started by Bath Lib Dem MP Don Foster last year, to force the Government to right off the RUH's historic debt of nearly £25 million. Bath & North East Somerset Council supported by all Councillors, apart from Labour, have also backed the call and condemned Mr. Norris for his stance.

Contact: Cllr Paul Crossley on 07980 998802 or on 01225 477038, or Tim Kent on 01225 477419 or call 07776 437161.