Funding crisis hits children's hopes

4.53.44pm GMT Mon 19th Mar 2007

The decision by the NHS Trusts in Leeds to defer plans for a children's hospital in the City has been described by Lib Dem group leader Cllr Mark Harris as "yet another funding fiasco caused by central government".

Cllr Mark Harris said "After the debacle over Supertram funding we are seeing another major project seemingly lost to the city. In 2004 the Government announced that over £200 million would be made available for the creation of a children's hospital in Leeds. Today's confirmation of the news that the plans have been deferred means that West Yorkshire and Leeds will remain one of the largest areas in Europe without a specialist children's hospital."

Cllr Richard Brett, executive board member for children's services and the council's children's champion added "It is very disappointing that financial difficulties within the Trusts means that the children of Leeds have an indefinite wait for the improved facilities that a purpose built children's hospital would bring ."