NHS deficits 'getting larger'

Monday, 7 July 2003 12:00 AM

The Conservatives are warning that the number of NHS Trusts expected to run a budget deficit this year has increased.

According to a survey of 40 NHS Hospital Trusts, 23 said they would run a deficit this year. The survey found that 20 of these Trust expected to run a deficit of over £1 million, and the total deficit would be over £125 million for the year.

The Conservative Shadow Health Secretary, Dr Liam Fox, argued that these figures painted a 'bleak picture' of the state of the NHS despite the increased spending on the NHS.

He pointed out that in 2001-02, 19 out of 318 NHS Trusts ran a deficit of more than £1 million. The total deficit for 2001-02 was £70 million.

Dr Fox commented, 'These figures confirm yet again that despite the high increases in taxation and spending the financial situation of many hospitals has worsened.

'Deficits from the previous year must be cleared from the current year's budget, with inevitable reductions in services offered.'

Dr Fox highlighted that many of the Trusts expecting to run a large deficit this year had no deficit in the 2001-02 financial year.

The Government will not publish the official figures of NHS deficits until late Autumn 2003. The Conservatives obtained the figures from minutes of NHS Hospital Trust board meetings and local press coverage.

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