CCG group's deficit escalates by more than £30m

Barking and Dagenham, Havering, and Redbridge Clinical Commissioning Groups, which are working as a group, have confirmed they are forecasting a total deficit of £31m for the end of 2016-17. They had forecast a surplus of almost £7m earlier this year.

In a statement to HSJ the CCGs admitted that two thirds of this deficit related to tackling elective care backlogs at Barking, Havering and Redbridge University Hospitals Trust, which has had major problems with waiting lists.

According to board papers published in July, Havering CCG was predicting a planned surplus of £3.5m, Barking CCG a surplus of £2.7m and Redbridge CCG forecasting an end of year break even position.

Barking, Havering and Redbridge University Hospitals Trust is currently forecasting its agreed financial control total.

According to Havering CCG’s most recent governing body papers, published on 10 November, all three CCGs have agreed to a recovery plan to address the referal to treatment backlog at BHRUT, requiring a combined investment of £14m to £20m.

The CCG’s board paper said 11,500 patients from across the three CCGs have been directed from BHRUT to alternative providers.

The North East London sustainability and transformation plan details BHR’s intent to establish an “accountable care system” by April 2018.

A spokeswoman for Barking and Dagenham, Havering and Redbridge CCGs said: “Barking and Dagenham, Havering and Redbridge CCGs face a significant financial shortfall this year - both collectively and individually – with a projected deficit of £31m.

“Tackling the referral to treatment backlog at our main acute provider, Barking, Havering and Redbridge University Hospitals Trust, has created the greatest pressure on our budget, with two thirds of our projected deficit relating directly to it.

“We have already implemented an agreed financial recovery plan which is on track and delivering results. Our medium to longer term plan for increased collaborative working in Barking and Dagenham, Havering and Redbridge, with pathway redesign, locality development and shifting money from expensive hospital care models to community and primary care will be critical and is a key part of the north east London sustainability and transformation plan.”