Two trusts in England alone are predicting a combined deficit of almost £50m with chief executives saying they face ‘significant challenges’ over the coming weeks Ambulance trusts across the UK have sounded warnings over patient safety as they struggle to balance their books before the new financial year begins next month.
Analysis of papers presented to ambulance trust boards over the past two weeks reveal the scale of the challenge confronting our emergency services,in the East Midlands alone. Of the delays, 50 per cent could be attributed to just two hospitals: Queen’s Medical Centre in Nottingham and Leicester Royal Infirmary.
EMAS chief executive Richard Henderson said in his report to the board: “The pressures within the health system and in particular hospital handover delays continue to be a significant challenge for us, impacting on our ability to respond to patients and meet national standards… I anticipate that many of the challenges we are currently facing will continue into the new financial year.
Secamb achieved a break-even position in 2023/24 through, in part, a one-off sale of surplus property and other one-off cost improvements, but its underlying position is a recurrent deficit when these are removed. The trust said it is not alone in facing financial difficulties – a number of NHS providers currently have draft deficit financial plans – and that it is working hard to improve its position ahead of the final submission date of 2 May.
Ambulance trusts are trying to implement “cost efficiency plans” in a bid to break even before the new financial year begins next month. Sources at multiple trusts toldnon-frontline staff who have left or are leaving are unlikely to be replaced in a last-ditch bid to make up financial shortfalls.Ambulances in London may start being withdrawn due to “considerable delays” to the national rollout of radio and mobile data systems to all trusts.