Spring Statement: Health leaders warn of service and staffing cuts as NHS faces tough finances

Credit: PA Wire/Jordan Pettitt

By Claudia Tanner

NHS managers have warned of potential cuts to services and staffing following Tuesdays's Spring Statement, as cost pressures mount from pay awards, strikes and rising medicines spending.

Dr Layla McCay, director of policy speaking for NHS Confederation and NHS Providers, said the financial context for the NHS has "changed significantly" since the Autumn Budget and renewed a call for a financial injection into the health service.

"We agree wholeheartedly with the Chancellor's priority to stabilise public finances. However, the financial context for the NHS has changed significantly since the government's Autumn Budget," Dr McCay said. "A higher than expected pay award for NHS staff, three rounds of resident doctors' strikes, forthcoming increases to medicines spending and potential inflationary pressures from conflicts overseas will take their toll on an already stretched budget."

NHS faces deficit crisis

Dr McCay warned that NHS organisations are "coming under severe financial pressure, with leaders warning of cuts to services and staffing levels." She noted that several integrated care boards expect to end this financial year in deficit despite major efficiency savings and productivity gains.