Health body posts smaller than expected deficit

The body is responsible for planning and buying health and care services

An NHS body in Shropshire managed to reduce its deficit by the end of the financial year, but still faces huge challenges, a meeting has heard.

NHS Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin (NHS STW) integrated care board commissions healthcare services across the county.

Even with a government support package of £90m, it was expecting to post a £20m deficit in the year up to 31 March.

That was reduced to £12m. However, Dave Bennett, interim chair of the finance committee said getting finances under control would be "challenging" over the next year.

He told the committee meeting in Wellington that without the government funding and other packages worth £13m, the body would have a "real terms" deficit of £115m.

Mr Bennett said NHS STW would face the next year with an "underlying deficit" of £111m.

NHS commissioning bodies have been under pressure from the government to reduce their spending.

Roger Dunshea, Acting Chair and Non-Executive Director, said they were expecting "further guidance" from the government soon.

This news was gathered by the Local Democracy Reporting Service which covers councils and other public service organisations.