Bedfordshire NHS healthcare group deficit hits £43.2m

Bedfordshire CCG is the main funder of Bedford Hospital and health services across the county

An organisation in Bedfordshire responsible for NHS-funded healthcare has revealed a deficit of £43.2m.

Bedfordshire Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) wrongly believed it had been running with a small surplus since it was founded in April 2013.

The CCG, which looks after the health needs of 441,000 people and has a budget of £444m, blamed rising demand and poor management information.

New senior leadership has been brought in to tackle the deficit.

'Major funding boost'

Lack of rigour in monthly financial reporting and management errors of judgement meant many costs were not identified until November 2014.

The CCG's accountable officer, Nick Robinson, said: "Detailed analysis of our accounts has revealed fundamental weaknesses.

"We must put them right if we are to commission sustainable health services for local people.

"This is about becoming a more efficient and effective organisation; it is not about cutting services in Bedfordshire.

"We are also fortunate as we have received a major boost in our funding for the current financial year (2015/16), which gives us an extra £31m to spend and will help to fund increasing demand."