Examination of Witnesses (Questions 200-201)
NATIONAL HEALTH
SERVICE AND
DEPARTMENT OF
HEALTH
16 OCTOBER 2006
Q200 Chairman: The last thing is
a very important point. Remember our conversation on the current
financial year, 2006-07. You gave various guarantees about 2006-07.
Are you guaranteeing to us that a smaller proportion of bodies
would be in deficit?
Mr Nicholson: I do not think I
can guarantee anything to you, but our plan and expectation, as
I sit here, is that there will be a smaller number of organisations
in deficit this year than last year.
Chairman: And the bodies still showing
a deficit will be showing a smaller deficit than in 2005-06.
Mr Nicholson: Similar, again.
Q201 Chairman: And overall the NHS
will be in surplus.
Mr Nicholson: In balance, this
year. In surplus, next year.
Chairman: So not a guarantee but an expectation.
Mr Nicholson: An expectation.
Chairman: Thank you. That concludes our
hearing.
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