TORY MP Stephen O'Brien is questioning whether the Government is serious about delivering health services at a local level because of funding problems at a Cheshire community hospital.

Mr O'Brien, the Shadow Minister for Health, visited Tarporley Community Hospital where he learned a funding crisis was impacting on the quality of care.

The Eddisbury MP said: 'The Government's White Paper on Health, debated only on Monday in the House of Commons, proposed a shifting of hospital services into the community to hospitals like the one we have in Tarporley.

'But, unless the funding crisis in health trusts locally and nationally is addressed and the books brought into balance this is nothing more than rhetoric.'

Mr O'Brien said the cash crisis affecting funding bodies like the Cheshire West Primary Care Trust (PCT) was causing real problems at the front line.

He said the hospital had an excellent physiotherapy suite, but the service was under threat because the PCT had not got the money to make best use of it and physios were 'bogged down' in red tape.

Mr O'Brien continued: 'Unfortunately, this type of waste is being repeated in hospitals across the country.

'Tarporley also operates an impressive outpatients department, but this does not get used on a Friday - the PCT are not making best use of the facilities available which could deliver considerable improvements in the standard of healthcare services provided.'

During his visit Mr O'Brien was given a tour of the hospital's facilities and took the opportunity to meet and chat with members of staff.

Mr O'Brien said: 'The management team and healthcare providers are extremely professional, hard working and committed to delivering first-class healthcare services to local people.

'The PCT needs to show that same level of commitment.'