Last updated on August 29th, 2017 at 10:51 am

Almost one in three NHS trusts in England is now forecasting that they will end the financial year overspent, official figures show.

Hospital deficits mean reduced care quality

In order to reduce the spend trusts may have to reduce staffing levels which could impact on the quality of care given to patients. Patients may find they are travelling further away for treatment as trusts close services down, and some patients may find their nearest A & E closing.

Trusts are having to radically re-organise services across our hospital sites to make the best use of resources as well as ensuring safety and service improvements as many hospitals, often only a few miles apart, provide exactly the same services that wastes NHS funding.

Increased waiting lists

Waiting lists for treatment have grown steadily since the creation of the NHS and are a source of great dissatisfaction to all patients.  The current 18-week target is no exception, with the demand for treatment exceeding supply due to funding deficits and staff shortages.  This means that even the current target will rise, creating long waits for operations.

Shortage of GPs

There is also a shortage of GPs in primary care, with many surgeries struggling to cope with staff shortages and the pressure of meeting government targets. The unsustainable workload GPs face has a direct impact on patients, leading to long waits to see a GP for routine appointments.

Graysons’ medical negligence team says:

“The whole system will need to change to reduce inefficiency and cost. This will see widespread radical redesign of services, with the growth of regional specialist centres and reduction in some services: essentially a slimming down of hospital services, with people being sent to where is best, which is not necessarily their local hospital.”

You can also read our article about the NHS’ Five Year Forward View.