APPENDIX 9
Memorandum submitted by the Trust Chief Executives
Advisory Group
WINTER MONIES
FOR THE
NHS IN WALES
I write in response to your letter dated 13 November in which
you ask for comments on the additional £9.5 million for the
NHS in Wales this winter.
The matter was discussed at a recent meeting of the Trust
Chief Executives Advisory Group (TEAG), and it is as Chairman
of that group I respond to your request.
INTRODUCTION
In October 1997, ministers announced an additional £9.5
million for the NHS in Wales. The purpose of the additional funding
was to ease the pressures on the health and social care system
during the winter period; and to restrain the growth in waiting
times.
RESPONSE OF
TEAG
- Any increase in resources is welcome and obviously will
make a contribution to the cost pressures that Trusts experience
during the winter period. However, it should be noted that short-term
funding provided on a non-recurring basis will not solve the continuing
financial problems which Trusts are experiencing year on year.
Several Trusts have reported financial difficulties, indicating
that they will be in a deficit position at the year end.
- Trusts have consistently put into place innovative and
progressive approaches to deal with the increase in admissions,
however, their impact will be limited if there is no resource
available to continue work beyond March 1998.
- The announcement this year came very late in the day,
and to my knowledge funds have not been allocated to Trusts until
very recently. As a result, Trusts can experience difficulties
in utilising the money as effectively as possible, mainly as a
consequence of the time needed to plan for changes in service
delivery. For example, the ability to recruit temporary staff
and re-designate wards is compromised by the lack of notice.
CONCLUSION
The amount and timing of additional funds can have great
impact on the effective operation of Trusts, and whilst Chief
Executives welcome the additional funding, there are concerns
over the non-recurring basis of the money and the lateness of
its allocation. The inability to plan for the most effective use
of the funding should also be noted by the committee.
Martin Turner
Chairman of Trust Chief Executives
Advisory Group
19 December 1997
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