Royal Stoke and Stafford Hospital quizzed on £65m planned savings
UHNM trust wants to eliminate its deficit in three years
officials in Stoke-on-Trent have been questioned by councillors about plans to save more than £60 million next year as part of an effort to eliminate the trust's deficit within three years.
The University Hospitals of North Midlands (UHNM) is required to achieve cost improvements of £62.2 million for the 2026/27 financial year, focusing on areas such as controlling expenditure on agency staff, maximizing substantive staff usage, and optimizing inpatient capacity.
During a health and care scrutiny committee meeting at Staffordshire County Council, members sought reassurances that these savings would not negatively affect patient services.
According to a UHNM report, £48.1 million of the required savings have already been identified, with the remaining £14.1 million expected to be approved soon. In the current year, the UHNM has achieved £51.9 million in savings through workforce controls and service efficiencies.
Councillor Colin Greatorex expressed concern over vague descriptions of savings measures and their potential impact on patients. He sought clarity on how initiatives like reducing agency resources and digitization would affect residents.
Chris Bird, UHNM's deputy director of strategy, assured the committee that all cost improvement programs are supported by quality impact assessments to prevent detrimental effects on patient care.
Bird acknowledged challenges in meeting national performance standards, particularly for emergency care, but emphasized the need for a balanced approach between financial efficiencies and service provision.
Committee vice-chair Charlotte Kelly raised questions about any 'pushback' on the savings already realized. Bird responded by discussing the use of national comparative data and the process of translating it into a local context, which can sometimes lead to differing interpretations.
Councillor Ann Edgeller highlighted concerns over long waiting periods for hospital appointments and the importance of prioritizing health over budgetary considerations.
The committee agreed to receive further updates on UHNM’s cost improvement program, as well as a report on urgent and emergency care in future meetings.
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