Shropshire MP Philip Dunne today demanded ministers “come clean” over whether they have the cash to redevelop community healthcare facilities such as the £30 million needed to transform Ludlow Hospital.

He said there had been contradictory comments from ministers on successive days about the project to take the town’s healthcare facilities into the 21st Century.

He said the precise status of the Community Hospital Redevelopment Fund – announced in July 2006 – was “pivotal to the prospects of bringing this vision to life”.

Plans for Ludlow’s health village have been under threat since Shropshire’s PCT was told cash was “unlikely” to come from the Government, hindering the initial funding bid for the project.

Spearheading a debate on the issue at Westminster, Mr Dunne said there was frustration and confusion over the matter which required answers and clarity.

He said: “Do we have a fund or not? If so, is there any money in the pot? If not, it is time to come clean?”

Health Minister Mike O’Brien told the debate the fund was available, but the green light was needed from both the Department of Health and The Treasury on projects.

“I too am concerned about the representations that have been made in respect of Ludlow Community Hospital. I appreciate how important this is to you and your constituents,” he told Mr Dunne.

“I can confirm that the Department (of Health) will continue to consider cases for the Community Hospital Redevelopment Fund, provided they provide value for money and are affordable.”

But he added that there were a number of other funding options for the scheme.

But he warned a successful bid for funding relied on how high up the list it featured in the local strategic health authority’s priorities.

Mr Dunne said the venture was considered a “number one priority” in the West Midlands Strategic Health  Authority’s plans.

The Tory MP said afterwards that if the money was unavailable, the community and health chiefs needed to know in order to get on with finding alternative funding.

By London Reporter Sunita Patel