Health Foundation's reaction to Department of Health Annual Report and Accounts

This week the Department for Health released its annual report and accounts for 2013-14.

In reaction to this, Anita Charlesworth, Chief Economist at the Health Foundation commented:

'Health spending rose in 2013-14 by 2.6 per cent above inflation, a much faster rate than the previous 2 years. The big issue for 2013-14 was increased staff costs as hospitals responded to the Francis report by recruiting more doctors, nurses and other front line staff. Overall it’s difficult to see how the NHS can end 2014-15 without another significant increase in the pay bill. In 2013-14 the NHS stood at the tip of the cliff and with the help of skilful financial management just managed to avoid falling over and lived within the budget. However skilful the finance managers are this year, it’s unlikely that they can repeat the feat. The challenge for the NHS is that it really needs to deliver on the system efficiencies that have proved so elusive.  Without this the only option is to slash hospital costs – post Francis that is looking less and less feasible.'  

Media contact

Mike Findlay, Media Manager
T: 020 7257 8047
E: mike.findlay@health.org.uk