• The Guardian reports on an internal NHS document which outline CEP discussions for London
• Cuts in health spending aim to plug a £183m gap in funding for 10 London trusts
• NHS Providers issues a response calling plans neither realistic nor responsible

The Guardian has reported (21 June 2017) on an internal NHS document which reveals the cost-saving options to plug £183m gap in funding for 10 hospital trusts in London.

The document outlines how the "Capped Expenditure Process" will hit the provision of NHS care to the 1.44 million people who live in the boroughs of Camden, Islington, Haringey, Barnet and Enfield. Hospitals included in the plan are The Royal Free, University College London and Great Ormond Street children’s hospital.

NHS Providers issued a statement to the Guardian in response. The full version is as follows.

The director of policy and strategy at NHS Providers, Saffron Cordery, said:

"We're in the middle of the longest and deepest financial squeeze in NHS history. To make the NHS books balance NHS trusts have delivered huge savings over each of the last seven years. Last year trusts saved £3.1 billion, equivalent to 3.7% of spending. Trusts have already signed up to plans that aim to save more than 4% of spending this financial year.

Trusts are concerned that these targets can only be realised in full by cutting or re-configuring services in ways that are neither realistic nor reasonable.

"Trusts involved in the Capped Expenditure Process are concerned that they are now being asked for more savings with ambitious extra new savings targets that have come late in the day. They are concerned that these targets can only be realised in full by cutting or re-configuring services in ways that are neither realistic nor reasonable and that this process could derail existing agreed plans.

“Some of the proposals could challenge fundamental expectations shared by NHS staff and the public about what the health service is there to provide. We can not do that without a full and proper debate.

"We have shared these concerns with NHS England and NHS Improvement and are arguing for a more considered process in which we can identify what further savings can be realised. We must then openly and transparently assess the impact of any savings proposals on patients and care quality before proceeding. That includes consulting patients and the public on any proposals that require formal consultation".