After what Isle of Wight hospital bosses called “a summer which felt more like a winter”, the NHS Trust’s new chief, Penny Emerit, says some ‘difficult decisions’ will have to be taken to reduce spending.
The Isle of Wight NHS Trust has experienced unexpected pressure on its services and has carried out fewer elective operations than expected, a meeting of health chiefs heard. In some cases, patients were treated in corridors.
£3.5 million worse off than expected
This financial year, the Isle of Wight NHS Trust has a deficit of £17.6 million.
Compared to what was expected, it is £3.5 million worse off.
Rising costs
Providing cover for strike action by medical staff (though the reasons for the walkouts were respected), inflation and increased demand for acute services are being blamed for the overspend, by the trust’s executive leaders.
‘Transformation programmes’
Ms Emerit had already announced ‘transformation programmes’ for urgent care, local care, hospital discharges and elective surgeries.
A newly-created financial recovery board will look at redesigning services and cutting the money spent on its workforce, such as in the case of agency staff.
Portsmouth merger
Earlier this year, the Island’s acute services merged with Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust, in what NHS England called the ‘logical next step’ to help tackle long-standing challenges, when it comes to delivering healthcare to Islanders.
This article is from the BBC’s LDRS (Local Democracy Reporter Service) scheme, which News OnTheWight is taking part in. Some alterations and additions may have been made by OnTheWight. Ed
