Today, The King’s Fund has published its latest quarterly monitoring report, available via this link. The report draws on analysis of NHS performance data and a survey of NHS trust finance directors to assess the prospects for the NHS as it enters the first year of the new five-year funding deal.
It suggests that the NHS is still facing substantial financial pressure despite the additional funding available from April this year. Money earmarked to invest in improving services may be needed to cover deficits that have not been planned for, potentially putting at risk ambitions to improve patient care set out in the long-term plan.
