South Tyneside FT records surplus despite £3.1m loss on emergency tariff

An end of year key points briefing to the board estimates the impact of the payment rule, under which trusts are only paid 30 per cent of the normal value for any emergency admissions above their level in 2008-09.

It recorded a surplus of £463,000 at end of the financial year from a total income of £104.6m. Its rates of emergency admissions; planned admissions; and outpatient episodes were all above plan.

The trust is holding cash balances of £17.5m in reserve, “to fund our capital programme and to give us operating headroom”.