High Peak MP Robert Largan has hailed the decision to write-off more than £13billion of NHS debt as ‘game-changing.’

NHS providers, including Tameside and Glossop Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust, have had their historic debt totalling £106,631,000 written off along with £46,055,000 written off for Stockport NHS Foundation Trust - freeing them up to invest in maintaining vital services. 

This significant change will mean local hospitals will get all the necessary funding to carry out their emergency response during the coronavirus pandemic, as well as laying secure foundations for the longer-term commitments to support the NHS to become more financially sustainable. 

The decision to write off more than £13billion of debt is part of a package of major reforms to the NHS financial system, designed in a collaboration between the Department of Health and Social Care and NHS England, which began from the start of the new financial year.

Robert Largan MP said:

“Our local NHS Trusts were saddled with debt as a millstone around their neck. This decision to write off historic debt is game-changing and will enable the Trusts to plan for the future and invest in vital services.

“The NHS has saved my life twice and I will always fight for local services. I have regularly had conversations with the Health Secretary about the need to ensure our fantastic NHS services are supported financially. I’m very pleased that he has listened and delivered.

“The NHS is at the frontline of our efforts against coronavirus, and as we are seeing here, the Government remains committed to providing the NHS with whatever it needs to tackle the virus, and the changes to the funding model will give the NHS immediate financial certainty to plan and deliver their emergency response.”