The website of the Clinical Services Journal

Short-term financial fixes ‘not sustainable’

The NHS is treating more patients but has not yet achieved the fundamental transformation in services and finance regime needed to meet rising demand. Short-term fixes have made some parts of the NHS seriously financially unstable, according to the National Audit Office (NAO).

The National Audit Office has published two reports: the first, NHS financial management and sustainability,1 looks at the financial and operational performance of the NHS as a whole as well as the financial performance of local NHS organisations; the second, Review of capital expenditure in the NHS,2 examines the use of the NHS capital budget, which is for replacing and maintaining equipment and buildings. In these reports, the NAO highlights the financial pressures that the NHS is currently experiencing and warns that the short-term fixes introduced to manage the NHS’ finances are not sustainable.

NHS provider Trusts reported a combined deficit of £827 million and clinical commissioning groups1 (CCGs) failed to balance their books again, reporting a £150 million deficit in the financial year ending 31 March 2019. Trusts are becoming increasingly reliant on short-term measures, including one-off savings (rather than more permanent year-on-year savings) to meet yearly financial targets.2 These deficits were offset by a centrally managed NHS England underspend.

The NAO finds that the extra money brought in by Government to stabilise the finances of individual NHS bodies has not been fully effective. Although the NHS delivered increased activity in 2018-19, patient waiting times continued to slip. For example, while 717,000 more patients were treated in accident and emergency departments within four hours, performance against the target that 95% of patients should be seen within four hours fell to 88.1% (from 88.3% in 2017-18). 

Log in or register FREE to read the rest

This story is Premium Content and is only available to registered users. Please log in at the top of the page to view the full text. If you don't already have an account, please register with us completely free of charge.
Register

Upcoming Events

Central Sterilising Club - Annual Scientific Meeting 2024

Crowne Plaza at Gerrard’s Cross
15th April 2024 – 16th April 2024

DECON UK 2024

National Conference Centre, Birmingham
17th April 2024

Infection Prevention & Control

National Conference Centre, Birmingham
23rd - 24th April 2024

Theatres & Decontamination Conference 2024

Coventry Building Society Arena
16th May 2024

The AfPP Roadshow - Birmingham

Millennium Point, Birmingham
18th May 2024

The AfPP Roadshow - Exeter

University of Exeter
22nd June 2024

Access the latest issue of Clinical Services Journal on your mobile device together with an archive of back issues.

Download the FREE Clinical Services Journal app from your device's App store

Upcoming Events

Central Sterilising Club - Annual Scientific Meeting 2024

Crowne Plaza at Gerrard’s Cross
15th April 2024 – 16th April 2024

DECON UK 2024

National Conference Centre, Birmingham
17th April 2024

Infection Prevention & Control

National Conference Centre, Birmingham
23rd - 24th April 2024

Theatres & Decontamination Conference 2024

Coventry Building Society Arena
16th May 2024

The AfPP Roadshow - Birmingham

Millennium Point, Birmingham
18th May 2024

The AfPP Roadshow - Exeter

University of Exeter
22nd June 2024

Access the latest issue of Clinical Services Journal on your mobile device together with an archive of back issues.

Download the FREE Clinical Services Journal app from your device's App store

Step Communications Ltd, Step House, North Farm Road, Tunbridge Wells, Kent TN2 3DR
Tel: 01892 779999
www.step-communications.com
© 2024 Step Communications Ltd. Registered in England. Registration Number 3893025