RICHARD HIND (Letters, April 24) asks me to explain how the decision to impose an £8.5 million penalty on York Hospital will help to improve NHS services in York.

I can’t answer on behalf of the Government who imposed the penalty, but I share his concern.

The critical issue, as far as I am concerned, is whether the £8.5 million will be lost to the NHS in York.

I put this question to Dr Mark Hayes, the head of the Vale of York Care Commissioning Group, a few weeks ago.

He reassures me that all the money will be allocated to his budget and so the full £8.5 million will be available to be spent on buying new treatment for NHS patients in York.

Hugh Bayley MP, Holgate Road, York.