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27/09/2012
Report Suggests NHS Care Could Suffer From 2013
Financial chiefs have raised concerns for the future of the NHS saying next year could be the turning point finances unravel and the quality of care starts to get worse.
Using its own analysis and information garnered from interviews with 45 finance directors, the King's Fund research found that standards were currently being upheld.
But warned that from 2013 that would get more difficult and care could suffer.
The government, which has promised the health service will be protected, said the NHS was coping well.
A target of making £20bn of savings by 2015 - the equivalent of about 5% a year – has been set for the NHS and the majority of the finance chiefs who took part in the think tank's study said they were managing to make them at the moment without harming care.
But the new research suggests that could change in 2013.
27 of the 45 finance directors which took part in the online questionnaire said there was now a high or very high risk that NHS would not meet its savings target by 2015.
Nineteen of the panel said they expected care to worsen over the next few years, with only eight believing it would get better.
Prof John Appleby, chief economist at the King's Fund, said: "There are signs that future years will be harder.
"The end of the public sector pay freeze next April may add to financial pressure and increase the strain on services.
"The difficulty will be finding ways to absorb these costs without compromising the quality of care for patients."
(H)
Using its own analysis and information garnered from interviews with 45 finance directors, the King's Fund research found that standards were currently being upheld.
But warned that from 2013 that would get more difficult and care could suffer.
The government, which has promised the health service will be protected, said the NHS was coping well.
A target of making £20bn of savings by 2015 - the equivalent of about 5% a year – has been set for the NHS and the majority of the finance chiefs who took part in the think tank's study said they were managing to make them at the moment without harming care.
But the new research suggests that could change in 2013.
27 of the 45 finance directors which took part in the online questionnaire said there was now a high or very high risk that NHS would not meet its savings target by 2015.
Nineteen of the panel said they expected care to worsen over the next few years, with only eight believing it would get better.
Prof John Appleby, chief economist at the King's Fund, said: "There are signs that future years will be harder.
"The end of the public sector pay freeze next April may add to financial pressure and increase the strain on services.
"The difficulty will be finding ways to absorb these costs without compromising the quality of care for patients."
(H)
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A showery start with outbreaks most frequent north of Lough Neagh and through the morning, before dwindling during the afternoon as the northwest breezes ease and brighter spells of weak sunshine prosper. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A dry night, save for a few light showers around the coasts, with prolonged clear spells and light winds bringing a frosty dawn for many in central and southern parts. Minimum temperature -3 °C.
