Health chiefs are warning that NHS services and jobs in England will have to be cut unless up to £3 billion more is made available to cover unexpected costs.
The NHS Confederation and NHS providers representing trusts and other health organizations said in a joint statement that the cost of covering redundancies and strikes, as well as paying for extra drugs, were not included in this year's Budget and would require additional cash from the Chancellor.
Discussions between the Department of Health and the Treasury are ongoing, Health Minister Wes Streeting confirmed.
Responding to the announcement, the Department of Health said the government was committed to “properly funding” the National Health Service.
Cuts to NHS services and jobs could mean fewer tests, visits and operations carried out.
Senior managers say government demands for significant job cuts at regional health departments and NHS trusts have been made without any promise of additional funding to cover at least £1 billion in redundancy payments.
merger of NHS England and the Department of Health will also entail a reduction in staff, for which you will have to pay.
The NHS Confederation and NHS providers say the doctors' strike in England in July led to NHS trusts spending £300 million, including covering gaps in working hours. The cost will likely remain the same throughout the entire period. next planned strike in Novemberthey say.
They further argue that a likely deal with the United States higher drug prices could cost the NHS around £1.5 billion.
The US administration and big pharmaceutical companies are pushing the UK government to increase the amount it pays for drugs.
Pharmaceutical companies say investment in research and development of new drugs in the UK could be cut if no deal is reached.
Health chiefs have also warned that progress in reducing waiting lists will be affected if the Treasury does not help plug the financial gap.
Some argue that uncertainty over redundancy plans is distracting staff and managers from the task of improving the NHS.
Matthew Taylor, chief executive of the NHS Confederation, said: “The threat posed by unbudgeted cuts, higher drug prices and renewed strikes risks undermining progress on key waiting time targets and the wider reforms needed to get the NHS back on track.”
Daniel Elkeles, chief executive of NHS Providers, said: “Layoffs cost money, making long-term savings difficult without government support.
“As the Government prepares its Budget, now is the time for an honest assessment and debate about what the NHS can actually achieve this year in these challenging financial circumstances – and what is 'doable' to meet ministers' ambitions in their 10-year health plan.”
A Department of Health and Social Care spokesman said: “The Government has invested a record £29 billion into our NHS, including up to £10 billion for digital and technology transformation and £750 million for an urgent overhaul, demonstrating our unwavering commitment to getting the health service funded right. that we all rely on.
“However, investment alone is not enough – it must go hand in hand with reform. That's why we're doing things differently: not just rebuilding the NHS, but taking it forward through our Plan for Change.”
