Hospital savings plan on track, insist bosses

HOSPITAL trust bosses are falling behind in their bid to save cash to the tune of £7 million, a financial report reveals.

But University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust - which runs University Hospital in Coventry and Rugby's St Cross - is slowly clawing backs costs in a battle to bring down a multi-million pound deficit.

In a report to the Trust's board, chiefs admitted to being £7 million behind schedule on its Cost Improvement Scheme (CIP) - a plan to slash £20 million from its overall budget.

The report did show month-on-month improvements in saving costs, but some departments are still ploughing through cash, including an £8 million overspend for all clinical divisions. However some departments, including corporate functions, education and training saw underspends of up to £4 million.

It also confirmed the Trust was suffering from a risk rating of two stars - one short of achieving Foundation Trust status.

In September, the Observer revealed how a number of measures were being brought in to save funds, including closing theatre sessions and asking staff to cut down on hours.

A spokesman told the Observer: "University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust is on track to meet its financial year end target.

"The Trust’s financial overview as on January 31 shows the Trust’s deficit has significantly improved from the previous month."

The figures came as one NHS campaigner accused the government of 'burying' the true scale of the cost of a controversial system overhaul.

Coun Ed Ruane claimed the changes - which include giving GPs greater control of budgets and scrapping local health trusts - would cost the NHS more than £55 million in Coventry and Warwickshire alone.

He said: "This costly and wasteful reorganisation is not wanted by the public.

"It's costing our local health service tens of millions of pounds and affecting the quality and availability of care."