Andrew George says focussing on Treliske affected other hospitals

St Ives MP Andrew George told Patricia Hewitt she should visit the hospitals at Penzance and Hayle, as well as Treliske's Royal Cornwall Hospital.

He said a "Treliske View" operated to the detriment of the other hospitals.

Ms Hewitt said she would be meeting representatives of the two western hospitals at a meeting next week.

Cost-cutting measures

The Royal Cornwall Hospitals Trust is cutting costs and 300 jobs to reduce a �31m projected deficit.

Other proposed cost-cutting measures include the possible closure of Hayle's St Michael's Hospital, the loss of the emergency department at West Cornwall Hospital in Penzance, or cuts in wards and services at the Royal Cornwall Hospital in Truro.

Mr George said staff at the two western hospitals worked in a climate of fear because of the uncertainty over their futures.

In a letter, Patricia Hewitt said that she would only have time to visit Treliske and the Cornwall Partnership NHS trust, even though she would like to visit the others too.

She said representatives from the two western hospitals would be at her meeting in Truro on Tuesday.

She added that she would then meet Mr George in the House of Commons to discuss issues raised.

Earlier this week, managers at the Royal Cornwall Hospital's Trust announced a plan to cut �7m from their budget to help with the projected deficit.