Problem of NHS deficits far worse than admitted, with real debt at £900 m

The London Telegraph reports:

The financial crisis gripping the NHS is far worse than ministers have admitted, with hospital and primary care trusts expected to be £900 million in debt by the end of the financial year.


An analysis of 139 NHS organisations suggests the situation has deteriorated substantially since the Government predicted the overall deficit would be £623 million.

Jane Kennedy, the health minister, was last night expected to face heated questions from MPs during a House of Commons debate on the deficits following a steady stream of recent reports that many hospitals are laying off staff, freezing recruitment, closing wards and delaying operations.

The editors of the New Republic magazine probably don't want to hear about this.