Following the meeting, Mr Lansley said: “A future Conservative Government would give patients greater choice and local GPs the ability to control patients' budgets, so that the services provided at Wycombe Hospital can be those sought by local GPs and public.”

 

He added that a Conservative Government would “encourage” the hospital authority to get foundation status which would give it “greater autonomy”. He also said that the party would “ensure a fair NHS funding formula.”

 

Commenting on the meeting, Paul said: “What Andrew had to tell us on the funding front was basically good news. NHS budgets generally are going to be extremely tight during the next few years. And in the short term, there are huge constraints in Bucks - since we're one of the few areas in the south-east to have a structural PCT deficit.”

 

The meeting followed the recent transfer of key services from Wycombe to Stoke Mandeville Hospital, and was also attended by Cllr Darren Hayday, whose request set the event in motion.