Welsh NHS saddled with debt

The NHS in Wales is over ?70 million in debt according to the latest reports, furthering the belief that the NHS is in financial crisis.

According to the Wales on Sunday newspaper, the amount of debt carried by the NHS in Wales is growing year-on-year, with an almost 50 per cent increase experienced in the last 12 months.

“The financial pressures facing the NHS in Wales have been in existence for many years,” said Dr Brian Gibbons, health minister, according to the newspaper.

“The NHS is facing another challenging year in 2006-07. The modernisation of pay and the new contracts for primary care contractors will continue to require increased funding.”

Revelations of the amount of debt the NHS in Wales is saddled with has increased fears that the service will face cuts in Wales similar to those witnessed in Staffordshire last week.

A north Staffs hospital was told that as many as 1,000 jobs could be lost as a measure intended to reduce debts and recover losses.

© Adfero Ltd