DOCTORS and nurses will lose their jobs because of Government mismanagement , according to MPs. Oliver Heald, MP for North East Herts, and Peter Lilley, MP for Hitchin, spoke in the House of Commons last week about the growing financial crisis within Eas

DOCTORS and nurses will lose their jobs because of "Government mismanagement", according to MPs.

Oliver Heald, MP for North East Herts, and Peter Lilley, MP for Hitchin, spoke in the House of Commons last week about the growing financial crisis within East and North Herts NHS Trust.

Last month The Comet revealed that 500 jobs were to go at the Trust, which runs Lister Hospital, to save an additional £8million. This will increase the amount the Trust needs to save to a massive £18million.

Mr Heald said: "I and fellow Hertfordshire MPs demonstrated to the Government that there is a serious problem in the funding of the NHS in our area with many doctors and nurses to lose their jobs. We asked for help, but were rebuffed."

Mr Lilley told The Comet the Trust's difficulties were a "crisis of jobs, hospitals, trust and care caused by the Government's mismanagement".

He said: "The words 'cuts' and 'crisis' have been used fairly frequently over the past 20 years, but throughout that time they meant a reduction in the anticipated growth in spending or employment. This is the first time that we have known a real crisis."

Speaking after the debate, Mr Lilley said: "I do not feel that ministers are listening on this issue and, together with my fellow Hertfordshire MPs, I will continue to raise our concerns until the Government does take notice.

"The shortfall in funding that Hertfordshire is facing is unprecedented in the history of our local NHS, and is occurring at a time when the Government is trumpeting record health expenditure.

"We must continue to push for the Government to reverse these cuts before local services are decimated."

* The East and North Hertfordshire NHS Trust will be holding its next board meeting in public on Wednesday, July 26 at 1.30pm in Meeting Rooms 4 and 5, Education Centre, Lister Hospital, Stevenage.

A spokesman said: "Members of the public are very welcome to attend. There is an opportunity to ask questions or make statements that relate to the work of the Trust.

For information on how to do this, or to receive a copy of the agenda, please contact the secretary to the Trust Board in advance by emailing victoria.fisher@nhs.net or on 01438 781594.