NHS efficiency savings claims queried by NAO

The amount of efficiency savings being made by the NHS has been called into question in a report from the National Audit Office (NAO).

According a review of the Department of Health's (DH's) analysis of national pay, activity and other data, the NAO has been able to substantiate a total of 3.4 billion pounds of NHS efficiency savings in 2011-12.

This is significantly less than the 5.8 billion pounds of savings the DH claims to have achieved, a figure that lies close to the previously forecast total of 5.9 billion pounds.

Despite these discrepancies, the NAO noted that the NHS has made substantial savings in the last year, adding the current momentum needs to be substantiated and maintained to meet to 20 billion pound four-year reduction goal.

Amyas Morse, head of the NAO, said: "To build on these savings and keep pace with the growing demand for healthcare, it will need to change the way health services are provided and to do so more quickly."

Earlier this year, the NAO observed that certain parts of the NHS have come under strain as a result of the current efforts to reduce its expenditure levels.