FINANCE: Gloucestershire Hospitals Foundation Trust is reporting a £1m deficit at the end of month nine - against a planned £1.7m surplus.

The trust is maintaining its year end forecast of breakeven despite what it describes as an ‘extremely challenging’ position. Failing to achieve planned cost savings is identified as a risk factor in the lates financial report to the board.

The trust’s income is £1.7m above target but its expenditure has been significantly more than expected - an overspend of £6.4m against plan.