Staffordshire NHS cuts planned to avoid £25m debt
Radical' and 'unpopular' changes to health services in Staffordshire will be made this year to prevent a £25 million black hole.
The stark message was delivered by bosses on Cannock Chase Clinical Commissioning Group.
Last year the CCG managed to hit it's 'control target' which meant it over spent on its budget by £8.6million - referred to by chiefs as a 'planned deficit'.
It took the overall debt to £18m including overspends from previous years.
For the current year 2015/16 the CCG has earmarked another 'planned deficit' of £6.4million which would see the total amount rise to £25.4million owed in arrears but senior figures on the board have declared that will be unacceptable.
Instead they want to balance the books this year.
Paul Simpson, chief finance officer, said: "The clear statements coming from Government are that we have got enough money and now we have to manage it better.
"The most striking point is that last year there was a lot of talk about delivering the control target and it was absolutely the right thing to do.
"But that will not be enough this year and we have to go further.
"We are spending far more money than we are being allocated, and while yes it is money being spent on patients which is great, it is still money we haven't got.
"The situation cannot continue it is unsustainable.
"The challenge to make the level of savings we need is getting increasingly difficult without doing something pretty radical.
"Throwing money at things isn't always the answer."
As yet health bosses remain tight-lipped on what changes will be proposed but Mr Simpson said details would emerge at the end of this month and public engagement would start in July.
But he warned there would be no 'sacred cows' and declared services previously thought untouchable in terms of making savings would now have to be considered.
In 2016/2017 the CCG is aiming to make a surplus of £8million.
Chief officer Andrew Donald added: "Some changes proposed will not be popular and will be significant.
"But just to achieve the control target this year will not be good enough for me.
"We will just be putting off the day when the hard work starts.
"We have to go for it this year. If we do that the following year will be significantly easier."
