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NHS deficit forces treatment slowdown

Date published: 05/12/2005

An overspending crisis has forced hospitals to delay operations and introduce a 'go-slow' in treatment, according to the Guardian. Large deficits are forcing hospital managers to save money by delaying non-emergency treatment until the new financial year in April.

The news comes as NHS Chief Executive Sir Nigel Crisp announced that 'turnaround teams' will be sent to work with the Strategic Health Authorities (SHAs), NHS Hospital Trusts and Primary Care Trusts (PCTs) with the largest financial problems.

The Guardian reports that the University Hospital of North Staffordshire has been ordered to stop operating on women needing gynaecological treatment who had been on its waiting list for only two months.

The PCT said it would not pay for the treatment unless women were kept waiting for nearly six months, so by postponing treatment until the next financial year.

Peter Blythin, Chief Executive of North Staffordshire hospital, told the paper: "The PCTs have asked us not to treat any of their patients whose surgery was due to go ahead sooner than the target. We are not happy as we were trying to drive the lists down ready for the 2008 target that people should wait no longer than 18 weeks from seeing the GP to having their operation."

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