BURTON HOSPITAL LEADERS SEEK TO REASSURE PATIENTS

BURTON’S hospital leadership have warned “many difficult decisions” lie ahead to resolve “catastrophic” budget issues but have given reassurances about patient safety and quality of care.

- By EDDIE BISKNELL

A board meeting held this week by the University Hospitals of Derby and Burton NHS Foundation Trust heard the depths of the issues faced by the organisation.

Leadership said that the £70 million budget gap faced by the trust next year, and the £28 million shortfall it is set to end this financial year with in March, present a difficult “conundrum”.

Chief executive Stephen Posey, below, alongside other board members, stressed the need to get a hold of the organisation's budget will not lead to a reduced focus on patient safety or quality of healthcare services.

Chris Sands, executive chief finance officer, said the organisation was in regular talks with NHS England over its budget issues and said key targets would be the amount of money spent on agency and bank staff (who fill support roles and vacant shifts) and would reduce “discretionary” pay - such as for overtime - on a “safe basis”.