In response to today's report from the Royal College of Physicians, Underfunded, Underdoctored, Overstretched, Nuffield Trust Director of Policy Candace Imison said:
“These are critical issues which cannot be ignored. Gaps in rotas and recruitment are making it increasingly difficult for trusts to provide services, and are taking a toll on doctors. We have grave concerns about the implications for morale.”
“The NHS needs a sustainable funding settlement. Our work shows that under current plans, trusts are being asked to make savings over the next two years at a rate never before achieved – at a time when they are already visibly struggling after delivering efficiencies through years of financial pressure. We cannot carry on like this.“
“The potential impact of Brexit on recruitment, rightly highlighted here, risks adding yet another pressure to a seriously overburdened service.”
Notes to editors
- For queries or to arrange an interview, please contact me on mark.dayan@nuffieldtrust.org.uk / 02074620538.
- The Nuffield Trust’s recent report, Feeling the Crunch, showed that NHS providers will have to make savings of up to 4% this year and next in order to free up money to invest in transformation.