06/01/2005
NHS forced to make cuts on £500m budget deficit
The NHS is being forced to close wards, make redundancies and reduce the number of beds, as it struggles with a £500 million budget deficit.
In spite of these cost cutting measures, the Health Service Journal (HSJ) claims that, according to a survey of health authority financial directors, the NHS will be £225 million in debt by the end of the financial year. The journal also reports that half of the strategic health authorities questioned claimed they would be in debt by the end of March. This was attributed to a variety of causes, including new doctor contracts and waiting lists.
The journal reported that widespread cuts were being made across the UK, as hospitals try desperately attempted to save money.
Southampton University Hospital has already lost 120 beds, made 100 redundancies and closed two nurse-led units, in a bid to save up to £15 million, while Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trusts are due to close five wards and four operating theatres.
The HSJ reported that the average deficit is £18 million, although many are far in excess of that figure, including one in south west London, where the overspend stood at £69.2 million and another in West Yorkshire, where it was £40 million.
The Department of Health remains confident that the deficit is not a major problem, a spokesperson maintained that the NHS was expected to achieve "financial balance" in the fiscal year 2004-2005.
However, Liberal Democrat Shadow Health Secretary, Paul Burstow, blamed the government for the funding problems: "The financial pressures on the NHS are a direct result of this Government's obsession with setting targets that distort local priorities."
"It's time Ministers opened the books so all can see just how serious the financial problems really are. It simply is not good enough for Ministers to hide behind unelected and unaccountable NHS managers, leaving them to make the cuts," he said.
(KMcA/SP)
In spite of these cost cutting measures, the Health Service Journal (HSJ) claims that, according to a survey of health authority financial directors, the NHS will be £225 million in debt by the end of the financial year. The journal also reports that half of the strategic health authorities questioned claimed they would be in debt by the end of March. This was attributed to a variety of causes, including new doctor contracts and waiting lists.
The journal reported that widespread cuts were being made across the UK, as hospitals try desperately attempted to save money.
Southampton University Hospital has already lost 120 beds, made 100 redundancies and closed two nurse-led units, in a bid to save up to £15 million, while Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trusts are due to close five wards and four operating theatres.
The HSJ reported that the average deficit is £18 million, although many are far in excess of that figure, including one in south west London, where the overspend stood at £69.2 million and another in West Yorkshire, where it was £40 million.
The Department of Health remains confident that the deficit is not a major problem, a spokesperson maintained that the NHS was expected to achieve "financial balance" in the fiscal year 2004-2005.
However, Liberal Democrat Shadow Health Secretary, Paul Burstow, blamed the government for the funding problems: "The financial pressures on the NHS are a direct result of this Government's obsession with setting targets that distort local priorities."
"It's time Ministers opened the books so all can see just how serious the financial problems really are. It simply is not good enough for Ministers to hide behind unelected and unaccountable NHS managers, leaving them to make the cuts," he said.
(KMcA/SP)
Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
26 March 2007
'Postcode lottery' remains in NHS dental care
There are "huge regional variations" in NHS dental care in England, consumer organisation Which? has warned in new research. The survey of 466 dentistry practices - which comes a year after the start of new NHS dentists' contract in England - found that just over a third (36%) are taking on any new NHS patients.
'Postcode lottery' remains in NHS dental care
There are "huge regional variations" in NHS dental care in England, consumer organisation Which? has warned in new research. The survey of 466 dentistry practices - which comes a year after the start of new NHS dentists' contract in England - found that just over a third (36%) are taking on any new NHS patients.
04 January 2005
Five further health trusts make foundation grade
Following approval by the independent regulatory body, five Trusts have been granted Foundation Trust status.
Five further health trusts make foundation grade
Following approval by the independent regulatory body, five Trusts have been granted Foundation Trust status.
05 June 2015
New £2m Helipad Developed At Hospital In Devon
A new helipad has been built at Derriford Hospital in Devon. The £2 million facility will allow air ambulances to land at night. Search and Rescue (SAR) helicopters can also be facilitated. The previous landing area, a grassy region with no lights, was described as "unsuitable" for larger helicopters.
New £2m Helipad Developed At Hospital In Devon
A new helipad has been built at Derriford Hospital in Devon. The £2 million facility will allow air ambulances to land at night. Search and Rescue (SAR) helicopters can also be facilitated. The previous landing area, a grassy region with no lights, was described as "unsuitable" for larger helicopters.
26 February 2014
Mid Staffordshire NHS Trust To Be Scrapped
The Mid Staffordshire NHS Trust is to be scrapped, Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt has announced. The trust has been in administration since April when it was condemned by watchdog Monitor as "unsustainable". The Trust's two hospitals are to remain open but the majority of services are to be moved to other facilities.
Mid Staffordshire NHS Trust To Be Scrapped
The Mid Staffordshire NHS Trust is to be scrapped, Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt has announced. The trust has been in administration since April when it was condemned by watchdog Monitor as "unsustainable". The Trust's two hospitals are to remain open but the majority of services are to be moved to other facilities.
03 October 2013
NHSGGC IT System Fixed After Two Day Failure
An IT problem that crashed Scotland's largest health board for two day has been fixed. It is still not known what caused NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde's (GGC) IT system to fail, which resulted in hundreds of appointments and procedures being cancelled and affected 11 hospitals.
NHSGGC IT System Fixed After Two Day Failure
An IT problem that crashed Scotland's largest health board for two day has been fixed. It is still not known what caused NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde's (GGC) IT system to fail, which resulted in hundreds of appointments and procedures being cancelled and affected 11 hospitals.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A sunny but frosty start for many. However cloud increases by midday with a few showers reaching the north coast, these mostly light but spreading inland this afternoon. Chilly. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A rather cloudy evening with scattered showers. Becoming drier through the night with some good clear spells developing and a patchy frost away from coasts. Minimum temperature 0 °C.