SHA fears Londoners will see care squeezed in 2012

The strategic health authority has flagged the potential shortfall of “previously expected” funding as a “red risk” in its latest board documents.

Whatever the impact of the games it cannot detract from and should have no negative impact on Londoners

It says: “There is a risk that NHS care in London will be compromised if the additional costs to the London NHS of hosting the games is not met by DH as previously expected.”

The documents say the risk has been upgraded to red because the SHA has had “notification from [the] DH that funding cannot be guaranteed”.

NHS London’s 2012 programme director Hilary Ross told HSJ the estimated cost to the NHS of the games is £40m for 2009-13.

The SHA has been allocated £1.5m by the DH for costs relating to the games in 2010-11 but there is “no agreed funding” after 2011, Ms Ross said.

“It is a concern and a risk that we have to flag with our board and actively manage, but it is far too early to say what the impact might be.”

She said the DH had “not promised a set amount and funding has not been taken away”.

London primary care trusts have agreed to contribute a share of the required funding this year and next, she said. Negotiations over the amount are ongoing.

NHS Newham chief executive Melanie Walker said it was working with NHS London to assess the risk relating to the impact the games will have on London’s healthcare services, such as increased pressures on A&E and ambulance services.

“We have made it very clear that whatever the impact of the games it cannot detract from and should have no negative impact on Londoners,” she said.

An information pack issued by the DH to SHAs last June said extra funding would only be provided in “exceptional circumstances”.

Asked how much money the DH had previously indicated it would give NHS London, a spokeswoman said “no such indications were given”. It said there was no shortfall in the current financial year and “discussions for future funding are continuing”.