General Article Healthcare cuts leave patients in “disgraceful” pain

Topic Selected: National Health
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Healthcare leaders plan to delay or cancel spending in half of areas to meet financial targets – leaving patients waiting in “disgraceful” pain and uncertainty.

The King’s Fund’s quarterly monitoring report, which surveys financial leads at CCGs (clinical commissioning groups) around the country, found that achieving the demanded savings for the year ahead will mean “tough decisions” which will have a “direct impact” on patients.

“Our health and social care systems can no longer cope without urgent action. In the run-up to the general election, we [called] on politicians of all parties not to duck this crisis any longer”

The report found that 50 per cent of CCG finance leads felt delaying or cancelling spending would be needed.

More than 40 per cent would have to review or reduce the level of planned treatment they commission after the 18-week referral-to-treatment target was downgraded.

Just under half of CCG leaders said they were “uncertain” or “concerned” about their ability to ...

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