Doncaster health bosses warn finances are at 'high risk'

Officials at the Doncaster NHS Clinical Commissioning Group have warned their board of governors they are concerned about uncertainly over their long term finances at present because of questions arising from changes to the way they are paid from Government in response to the coronavirus.

Hayley Tingle, chief finance officer for Doncaster NHS Clinical Commissioning Group, said the CCG was showing an overspend for July of £2.2 million of which £706,000 related to costs directly incurred as a result of Covid-19 whic had not yet been reimbursed.

That is due to be paid by the Government – but there are concerns over future uncertainty about investment and effecient savings.

Ms Tingle said in a report: “There are a number of risks facing the CCG at the moment that the governing body need to be made aware of. The CCG has transformation and delivery plans and it is not clear how some of this can be progressed as there is uncertainty around investment and additional funding.

"It is not clear if the CCG will be expected to make any QIPP (Quality, Innovation, Productivity and Prevention) savings in year or if these will be offset by additional top ups.

“It is not known what activity and capacity providers will be able to deliver in year and what the impact of this will be on the underlying demand for future years. It is not clear if the regime for 2021/22 will revert back to the original position and therefore what the impact of the current regime will have on the CCG’s recurrent underlying position moving into next year.”

She told governors at a meeting: “Finances are high risk in terms of the environment we currently find ourselves in.”

CCG Chairman Dr David Crichton said: “I think what you’re saying is finances are increasingly becoming at risk, and we should highlight that concern across the rest of the financial year.

“It is becoming evident there is a high risk.

"It’s clarity we need. Guidance that comes out is being delayed and delayed.”

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