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Debt hit-squads in 25% of trusts | Debt hit-squads in 25% of trusts |
(about 7 hours later) | |
Campaigners have accused the government of wasting money after it emerged one in four NHS trusts has had a financial hit-squad sent in to rectify debts. | |
Ministers first announced consultants would be going into 18 of the worst-hit NHS trusts in England in January. | Ministers first announced consultants would be going into 18 of the worst-hit NHS trusts in England in January. |
But that figure has risen to 143 as the NHS struggles with deficits - trusts predict debts of over £1bn this year. | But that figure has risen to 143 as the NHS struggles with deficits - trusts predict debts of over £1bn this year. |
The government said the "turnaround" teams were offering varying levels of support and doing an important job. | The government said the "turnaround" teams were offering varying levels of support and doing an important job. |
External consultants | External consultants |
It is not known how much the teams are costing, because most of the funding is coming from individual trusts or strategic health authorities - regional bodies which oversee NHS trusts. | It is not known how much the teams are costing, because most of the funding is coming from individual trusts or strategic health authorities - regional bodies which oversee NHS trusts. |
In some cases the money paid to consultants is more than the actual deficit. It seems absurd Alex NunnsKeep Our NHS Public | In some cases the money paid to consultants is more than the actual deficit. It seems absurd Alex NunnsKeep Our NHS Public |
However, the NHS in England is set to spend £172m this year on external management consultants - a rise of 83% in two years, according to figures obtained by the Conservatives. | However, the NHS in England is set to spend £172m this year on external management consultants - a rise of 83% in two years, according to figures obtained by the Conservatives. |
Not all the teams involve external consultants as some trusts are using in-house NHS teams and the help on offer varies from consultants having positions on the board to financial experts acting in an advisory role. | Not all the teams involve external consultants as some trusts are using in-house NHS teams and the help on offer varies from consultants having positions on the board to financial experts acting in an advisory role. |
Shadow health minister Stephen O'Brien said: "The impact of Labour's financial mismanagement of our NHS is exposed through the vast increase in the number of turnaround teams. | Shadow health minister Stephen O'Brien said: "The impact of Labour's financial mismanagement of our NHS is exposed through the vast increase in the number of turnaround teams. |
"As they are Labour's solution to Labour's problem it is no surprise that the cost they incur is vast. | "As they are Labour's solution to Labour's problem it is no surprise that the cost they incur is vast. |
"Labour can no longer be trusted to run our NHS. By sending in these hit-squads it is clear that they no longer even trust themselves." | "Labour can no longer be trusted to run our NHS. By sending in these hit-squads it is clear that they no longer even trust themselves." |
Consultants | Consultants |
Alex Nunns, of the Keep Our NHS Public campaign group, added: "In some cases the money paid to consultants is more than the actual deficit. | Alex Nunns, of the Keep Our NHS Public campaign group, added: "In some cases the money paid to consultants is more than the actual deficit. |
"It seems absurd." | "It seems absurd." |
But the Department of Health said: "Turnaround support will vary in each organisation, from direct hands-on support in a trust to arms-length advice to SHAs. | But the Department of Health said: "Turnaround support will vary in each organisation, from direct hands-on support in a trust to arms-length advice to SHAs. |
"Fortnightly reports are being received from the most challenged organisations and, although it's early days, estimates show that the average saving identified is 4% of their income." | "Fortnightly reports are being received from the most challenged organisations and, although it's early days, estimates show that the average saving identified is 4% of their income." |
However, John Appleby, chief economist of the King's Fund health think tank, said the case for the turnaround teams was still not proven. | However, John Appleby, chief economist of the King's Fund health think tank, said the case for the turnaround teams was still not proven. |
"We don't know what impact they are having on reducing the deficits. But I think one effect of them is that they are making the NHS face up to the problem." | "We don't know what impact they are having on reducing the deficits. But I think one effect of them is that they are making the NHS face up to the problem." |