FORECASTS of a £2.5 million debt at West Middlesex Hospital have been met with outrage by Twickenham MP Dr Vincent Cable.

The hospital, in Twickenham Road, Isleworth, is reported to have turned away 15 critically ill patients in the last year and faces serious pressure on services after announcing the suspected deficit despite a record injection of cash from the government, it is claimed.

Dr Cable said: "Vast amounts of tax payers' money is, quite rightly, being ploughed into the NHS to improve services for patients and then we read of these disastrous shortfalls in provision and in finance. What the hell is going on?"

Dr Cable has written to West Middlesex to ask for an explanation and a briefing on the seriousness of the problem.

The hospital maintain that they have been working hard to reduce their underlying deficit by finding ways to improve how they work and therefore reduce inefficiencies.

And the outcome of this work has not only improved patient care but has also resulted in significant financial savings.

According to the institution it is on this basis that the trusts forecast deficit for the year end is now less than the £2.6 million originally forecasted.

A spokesperson said: "The financial deficit at West Middlesex Hospital is due in large part to a significant increase in emergency admissions in recent months.

"This has been common across west London and has been exacerbated by a higher than expected number of walking wounded' patients choosing to attend West Mid because of the facilities in our new hospital.

"In relation to Mr Cable's concerns about capacity, it is sometimes necessary during times of extreme pressure to transfer patients to neighbouring hospitals for treatment.

"This is commonplace across the NHS and unrelated to the trust's financial position. We would be happy to invite Dr Cable to the hospital for a thorough briefing."