NHS in need of emergency cash boost

Pressures are mounting on the Conservative government to give the National Health Services an emergency cash injection.

This comes after official figures highlighted the extent of the £1bn overspending by hospitals last year. The figures show overall NHS providers in England, including hospitals mental health, ambulances and community services had a deficit seven times higher than the previous year.

This came from attempts to become more economically efficient, a continuous rise in demand for care and high costs for agency staff working for the NHS; which commentators say will end up harming the overall standards for patient care.

 Director of policy at the King’s Fund, Richard Murray said: “plugging the growing black hole in NHS finances must now be an urgent priority for the government. There is a real prospect of deficits snowballing and, unless the government finds extra money, an accelerating decline in NHS performance and a deterioration in patient care.”

Ministers are now under pressure to provide the NHS with more funding to repair damages made as well as re-establish financial discipline in the Juuly 8 budget announced just a week ago. Sources within the NHS say the health secretary, Jeremy Hunt is deeply frustrated with the current financial situation hospitals are in despite him giving them over £1bn in the past two years.

“We know the NHS is busier than ever and trusts are facing challenges. However, we expect them to show tight financial grip and live within their means,” said a Department of Health spokesman.

The newly re-elected Conservative government has promised to provide the NHS with an extra £8bn by 2020 after demands from the NHS England chief executive, Simon Stevens. An additional £2bn was also given to the NHS by chancellor, George Osborne in the autumn statement.

Now experts believe that the medical costs are increasing day by day and the government is not taking any measures to cope with the trend.  

“There is an aging population across the globe and despite the longer age we have attained due to modern technology, the age of getting care hasn’t changed. “ London-based economist, Marco Pietropoli told Press TV.

He went on warning that the cost of care and medicine continue to rise in future adding that there is no actual plan by the government to fund the NHS.

The economist said no specific government has taken the issue seriously yet and the this is the people who must take the burden of the problem. 

SGH/MH

Press TV’s website can also be accessed at the following alternate addresses:

www.presstv.co.uk