22
Dec 2015
NHS financial problems becoming ‘endemic’
According to public spending watchdog The National Audit Office, the NHS is facing an unprecedented funding black hole and this year, trusts in England are expected to accrue deficits in excess of £2.2 billion.
The financial positions of NHS and foundation trusts have deteriorated substantially since 2014-15 when they stood at £843 million.
The Government has pledged to invest a further £8.4 million into the NHS each year by 2020. Although the watchdog have said that this could be a “significant step towards financial sustainability”, they have warned that it was not known whether there was a comprehensive plan to get finances back on track.
Amyas Morse, chief of the National Audit Office, said “Running a deficit seems to be becoming normal practice for acute trusts. There is a risk that poor financial performance is seen as the least worst option compared with poor healthcare provision.
“The Health Department, NHS England, Monitor and the NHS Trust Development Authority must take a rounded view of how to improve trusts’ finances.
“The Government’s commitment to give the NHS more funding, with almost half of this coming upfront, could be a significant step towards financial sustainability, if this funding can be devoted to improving the financial position of trusts rather than dealing with new costs.
“Continued demand for healthcare services means that the pressure on acute trusts will not go away.
“Until there is a clear pathway for trusts to get back to financial stability, we cannot be confident that value for money will be achieved.”
Chadwick Lawrence’s specialist team of clinical negligence lawyers have years of experience in Medical negligence compensation claims, and have obtained substantial compensation for our clients. Not only do we represent clients in Yorkshire, but because of our reputation we also represent clients nationally.
If you believe that you or a relative may have been injured as a result of clinical/Medical negligence, please call for free legal advice from our Medical negligence solicitors on the freephone number below.
Posted by Tony May, Partner/head of Clinical Negligence Department, Chadwick Lawrence LLP (tonymay@chadlaw.co.uk ), Medical negligence lawyers and clinical negligence solicitors in Huddersfield, Leeds, Wakefield and Halifax, West Yorkshire.
Freephone : 0800 028 2969
- Like this ? Share with friends