DOUBTS over whether, and when, a new hospital is to be provided for Liskeard, have been raised by local MP, Colin Breed.
The Liberal Democrat MP highlighted the matter during health questions in the House of Commons, and quizzed secretary of state for health, Alan Milburn, over when the long-promised hospital for the town will be provided.
Mr Breed said afterwards that he was disappointed that Mr Milburn had failed to confirm that, if private finance monies were not forthcoming, then alternative resources would be used to build a new hospital in Liskeard.
He urged: 'We must continue to fight for our new hospital, which is far from certain, given the minister's response.'
He felt that the government was ignoring the needs of South East Cornwall, and said that previous governments had left the area with 'longer waiting lists, and overly dependent on Derriford, with all the transport difficulties that involves.'
Mr Breed had been hoping to be given an assurance that the new hospital will be provided, with or without the government's Private Finance Initiative (PFI), which would see private money being invested in the new building.
The MP stressed: 'If a PFI scheme cannot be agreed it is essential that the government recognises its responsibilities to provide the necessary funding from its own resources, and not let the scheme fall by the wayside.'
As a preliminary move to a new hospital being built to serve the town and surrounding area bed spaces were cut at Lamellion hospital some years ago.
See also page 12.