Norman has welcomed news from the Wye Valley Trust that it has ended the process of considering strategic options for Hereford Hospital, including a possible merger or consolidation, and working with an independent or private sector partner.

Jesse, who has led on this issue ever since his election in 2010, said:

“This is a huge win for the Hospital, and for Herefordshire. Ever since this process started the Hospital has been making three arguments: that there were no benefits to be gained from the “options” process via consolidation, merger or franchising; that the NHS should meet the Hospital’s deficits until a fairer funding formula could be put in place; and that the Hospital should be allowed to continue reshaping its services without this expensive and time-consuming distraction.

“As an integral part of this, I and my colleague Bill Wiggin MP have been pressing the case in Westminster, with ministers and with the NHS England Board.

“I am thrilled that they have listened to these arguments. The “options” process is ending and the NHS has once again met the cost of the Hospital's deficit.

“We are not out of the woods yet. The funding formula is still grossly inequitable; the PFI contract is a massive burden; and we need a multi-year funding agreement on the Hospital's deficit to allow the management to put in place longer-term plans.

“But this is a very, very encouraging move forward.”