After
weeks of speculation, South London NHS Healthcare Trust has entered
administration after running up substantial debts.
South
London NHS Healthcare Trust was the result of a merger of The Princess Royal
hospital in Orpington, the Queen Mary hospital in Sidcup, and the Queen
Elizabeth hospital in Woolwich. At this time, deficit was about £21 million. In
2011, this rose to £40 million.
Despite
having one of the lowest mortality and infection rates in the country, and
massive improvements in the quality of care, the financial challenge facing the
trust is significant. A trust spokesperson said the hospitals will continue to
provide first class care and there will be no impact on scheduled appointments.
