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Response to Monitor’s 2014/15 report on the Performance of the NHS Foundation Trust sector

 Rob Webster, chief executive of the NHS Confederation, said:

“This report provides a clear indication of the pressures faced by the NHS today, with the Foundation Trust (FT) sector posting a year-end deficit for the first time. The financial issues within providers are well-documented and these figures further highlight the impact from an FT perspective. Sustainability in the NHS is a challenge that must be met by the whole system and we will need to see strong leadership over the next five years to meet it.

“Following the debate around the NHS during the general election, we welcome the Prime Minister’s commitment made earlier this week to find at least £8 billion extra investment in the NHS by 2019/20. We look forward to working with the Government as it develops its spending plans for health and care. A clear signal from the Government that it will increase funding each and every year of this Parliament will allow the NHS to focus on the tough efficiency savings required and achieve the vision set out in the Five Year Forward View. 

“The figures published today demonstrate that the NHS has a fragile settlement and that this will remain over the coming years. We will need to count on transformation funding delivered up-front and action to prevent social care from being cut, in order to prevent NHS organisations from being knocked off course. 

“Local leaders continue to work with their teams to deliver great care in the NHS each and every day. We now need to change the way care is delivered in many parts of the NHS, with new models of care, backed by strong support from national bodies and politicians over this full Parliament. This looks within our grasp if we align behind the Five Year Forward View, secure sufficient funding and back the NHS to deliver.”