Struggling NHS trusts could seal fate of MPs in new marginal seats
At least eight "struggling" London hospital trusts could decide the outcome of seats at the next general election, it was claimed today.
They will be located in marginal constituencies as a result of boundary changes proposed by the Government. Tory MPs could lose their seats as voters vent their anger over threats to hospital services.
Chase Farm Hospital in Enfield is among those which will be in "super-marginal" seats. An analysis by health policy consultancy MHP Health Mandate shows the Tory majority there could be slashed to just 382 votes under boundary changes.
The hospital is at the centre of a row over a decision to downgrade its A&E unit to a 12-hours-a-day urgent care centre. The move could decide the fate of Nick de Bois, Tory MP for Enfield North. Queen's Hospital in Romford, "at risk" because of Private Finance Initiative debt, will be in another marginal constituency.
The hospital is part of Barking, Havering and Redbridge Trust which has already forecast a cash deficit of £19.7million. The PFI row could undermine Romford Tory MP Andrew Rosindell, whose majority will slide to 876 under boundary changes, MHP Health Mandate says.
The eight trusts are among at least 18 in London which have not attained foundation status in constituencies with notional majorities of less than 7,000. Hospitals have to demonstrate long-term financial viability to become foundation trusts. NHS London has indicated challenged trusts which do not make foundation status could be merged or taken over.
Mike Birtwistle, from MHP Health Mandate, said the NHS was a top priority in "battleground" constituencies. "The fate of these trusts, and the way the NHS engages with local communities about them, could determine the outcome at the election."
