Care at risk unless deficit tackled

Patient care is at risk unless the financial crisis facing hospitals in England is addressed, as new figures reveal the total deficit now stands at £2.45bn. The current cumulative deficit exceeds the previously predicted deficit of £2.8bn projected during the middle of the previous financial year by £461 million.  Latest figures released by NHS Improvement show that 157 out of 240 hospital and other NHS trusts in England reported being in deficit by the end of the 2015/16 financial year. Responding to the figures, BMA council chair Mark Porter reiterated the association’s call for Government to develop a credible, long-term plan for financing and resourcing the NHS. He said: ‘These figures are yet another warning — to a government with its fingers pushed firmly into its ears — about the financial crisis that is engulfing the NHS on its watch. ‘Our country chooses to spend a smaller proportion of our national wealth on healthcare than in other developed countries, and less than the EU average. Our patients deserve better than that. ‘Politicians must take these issues seriously. We must draw up a long-term strategy for the NHS that addresses the fundamental workload and funding challenges that are overwhelming our health service. 'Failure to invest now will result in a disaster in the future both financially and in terms of patient health.’ The deficit of £2.45bn was almost three times greater than that rep...
Source: BMA News - Category: UK Health Source Type: news