NHS future in doubt without extra funding as trusts record “staggering” deficit

NHS hospital trusts in England recorded a combined deficit of almost a billion pounds in the first three months of this year, higher than the deficit for the whole of the previous financial year.

Figures published by national regulators Monitor1 and the NHS Trust Development Authority2 showed that the NHS trust and foundation trust sectors recorded a combined deficit of £930m (€1260m; $1420m) in the first quarter of 2015-16, compared with £822m for the whole of 2014-15.3

The disclosure lays bare the rapidly deteriorating financial position at most NHS hospitals and indicates that the £2bn end of year deficit previously forecasted for NHS trusts finances is likely to be exceeded.

Monitor’s figures showed that 118 of England’s 151 foundation trusts (78%) ended the period in deficit with …