UK DH "confident for the NHS in the face of the economic downturn"
This article was originally published in Clinica
Executive Summary
In the face of the economic downturn, the UK government today said it was well placed to address the NHS' operational and supply funding needs. A predicted surplus of £1.73bn ($2.66bn) "will stay within the NHS and will be used to improve patient care", said the DH, citing its second-quarter (June-September 2008) performance report, published today. The DH is also forecasting a gross operating deficit of £86m at year-end, down from £125m at the end of 2007-08. Although the NHS, along with the rest of the public sector, "will have to make its contribution to delivering greater efficiency", the DH is "confident that [it is] well placed for the challenges ahead", said David Flory, director general for NHS Finance, Performance and Operations.