Benefits changes could add to pressures on the NHS

Responding to the chancellor’s spring statement, the interim chief executive of NHS Providers, Saffron Cordery, said:

“Today’s statement is a further reminder of the scale of the financial challenges facing our economy and public services.

“After years of contending with tight finances and staffing pressures, trust leaders are keenly aware of the importance of ensuring every pound of taxpayers’ money is well spent.

“Important strides are being made in improving value in the face of significant challenges including outdated and decaying buildings and equipment, staff burnout and the fact that patients are increasingly presenting with more severe, complex conditions.

“The confirmation of cuts to some benefits is a real concern.

“Mental health trust leaders previously told us that changes to universal credit and benefits were increasing demand for services, as were loneliness, homelessness and wider deprivation.

“There are particular worries over the potential impact on disabled peoples’ health and their ability to support themselves.

“With poor mental health the leading driver of ill-health related economic inactivity, trust leaders fear these changes could add to pressures on mental and physical health services which are already severely stretched.”