THE anticipated £11 million deficit at York Hospital (The Press, January 28) should come as no surprise.

Every other hospital in Yorkshire, with the exception of Harrogate, is in the same boat.

It isn’t difficult to find the reasons. Britain is now spending significantly less than the majority of our European neighbours on health - even less than Finland and Slovenia.

After the scandal at Mid-Staffordshire, the Government demanded that staffing levels must be increased to improve standards of care. York responded by setting minimum staffing levels on all wards in accordance with the report.

Now the same Government through its regulator Monitor in a recent letter to all NHS hospitals is requiring there should be a “headcount reduction” to reduce the deficit. The Government can’t have it both ways.

The demand on health services will continue to increase in the immediate future.

In part this arises from the increased life expectancy, with women in York now living to 83 and men to 78. While this is a cause for celebration, the money must match this increased demand.

Who was it that said: “The NHS is safe in our hands.” Not David Cameron surely?

Bob Towner, Chair, York Older People’s Assembly, Hobgate, York