Sherwood Forest Hospital Trust's near-£234m debt is wiped by the government as part of coronavirus support package

Almost £234m has been wiped from debts owed at Sherwood Forest Hospitals NHS Trust as part of the government’s support package for dealing with coronavirus.

The trust was left with huge Private Finance Initiative (PFI) debt following the rebuild of King’s Mill Hospital, Sutton-in-Ashfield, and renovations and upgrades to Newark Hospital.

Sherwood MP Mr Mark Spencer said: “Health Secretary Matt Hancock has wiped off over £13bn-worth of debt from NHS trusts across the country. This will allow hospitals and their trusts to be able to focus on defeating coronavirus.”

A spokesman for Sherwood Forest Hospitals said the PFI repayments did not have any affect on patient care.

They said: “We welcome the move from the government, regarding the trust not having to pay the repayable interest bearing loans that the trust previously provided by the Treasury.

“However, these loans do not relate directly to our PFI agreement.

“First and foremost it is important to note that patients at King’s Mill Hospital have a first class facility to be treated in, which is one of the best estates in the region.

“We recognise that this comes at a cost and we know that our PFI payments are higher than other similar NHS organisations, so we welcome any opportunity to discuss these costs at a national level.”

Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust, which runs Queen’s Medical Centre and City Hospital, had £90m-worth of debt wiped.