MP pleads for more hospital cash

Calls are being made for the government to give Southport and Ormskirk NHS Trust a £100million funding boost to build a new hospital between the two towns.

Sefton Central MP Bill Esterson met with new NHS trust chief executive Silas Nicholls following reports that the trust was considering its options on hospital provision for Sefton and West Lancashire.

The MP said he would oppose any plan to close South- port and Formby Hospital and move to the existing Ormskirk site but gave a cautious welcome to the possibil- ity of a new hospital, providing transport links were in place for residents.

Mr Esterson met with Mr Nicholls at Southport hospital on Town Lane to hear the chief executive outline his plans to deal with a £30m deficit and raise standards.