Bedford Hospital Panorama shows targets, not patients, drive NHS

7.20.00pm GMT Mon 21st Feb 2005

"Cut away red tape from Bedford Hospital," says Michael Headley

Liberal Democrat parliamentary campaigner for Bedford & Kempston, Michael Headley, has responded to last night's Panorama programme that featured Bedford Hospital.

Michael Headley said, "We should all be worried when a consultant says that he has to see the patients who form part of the target culture in preference to the patients that perhaps have greater clinical need."

"The doctors, nurses and staff at Bedford Hospital have worked very hard to move the hospital to its current 3 star status. However, the Panorama programme hammered home just how much government imposed targets can work against the clinical judgments of doctors and the best interests of patients."

"There is far too much meddling in our local health services by the government. Doctors and nurses are highly trained and dedicated health professionals. Ministers and civil servants are not - yet we saw how they call the shots at our local hospital. We need to cut away the red tape, abolish targets that distort priorities, and free our frustrated doctors and nurses from meddling - so they can put patients first."

"We should be worried that the hospital trust is predicting a £3million overspend this year, which could mean it losing its 3 star rating. I would like to see the hospital free to respond to local needs and priorities, putting patient care first, instead of having to use its limited resources following Whitehall orders to the letter."