Health Budget cuts to prop up other authorities

In the same day that it is announced that Welsh women will be able to travel over the border to the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital to receive Herceptin, it emerges that Telford's PCT will have to cut back its budget to help prop up other authorities in the West Midlands. This is before Telford joins the West Midlands City Region, what will it be like when Telford's health service is run from Birmingham? Talking about rubbing salt into the wound.

Health bosses to to tighten budget

By Health Correspondent Dave Morris
Health bosses in Telford & Wrekin have been warned to tighten their belts after being ordered to shave millions of pounds from this year's budget.

Key initiatives such as improving sexual health services and plans for cutting obesity levels are having to be put on hold for 12 months.

The borough's Primary Care Trust (PCT) which employs about 500 people, is holding vacancies open for as long as possible and reducing its contingency cash reserve in a bid to save money.

There will be no staff training unless necessary to meet mandatory requirements.

Last month it was revealed that the PCT would have to contribute £2.6 million towards establishing a new national payment system for hospital services.

Deferring

But on top of this the trust, which has just finished the past financial year in balance, must also contribute £5.3 million to the cost of setting up a regional NHS "bank" that will help balance the books of other health organisations across the West Midlands.

Despite the savings already identified, it still faces a £2,5 million gap.

A progress report will be presented to the trust board next Tuesday.

Simon Conolly, PCT chief executive, said today: "We are having to look at things such aa deferring service developments, holding vacancies open and making economies in prescribing.

"It is real belt tightening for the year ahead but we are required to release this money.

"We are trying to minimise the impact on patients.

He said existing services provided by the trust would not be cut.

Chairwoman Sue Davis said that "in theory" the money should be paid back to the PCT next year.