Budget – NHS trusts hail new capital and tech investment

The Chancellor of the Exchequer has paved the way for new public-private partnerships to raise money for capital schemes to support the NHS in England.

Daniel Elkeles, chief executive, NHS Providers, said:

"The Chancellor has opened a welcome new pathway for NHS capital investment which we’ve long called for. Investing in more new neighbourhood health centres will help the NHS to shift care from hospitals closer to where people live.

"The NHS is again central to the Budget although no extra money has been allocated specifically to help tackle waiting lists over the course of the current spending review period nor for a potential rise in the costs of medicines in any deal with the USA. 

"Nor is there any extra money to meet NHS staff pay rises above the 2.5% allowed for in the settlement from government, possibly not a realistic figure when welfare benefits and pensions are going up by around 4%.

"£300million more for new digital technology will go a long way to letting staff spend more time with patients rather than on time-consuming admin duties.

"And with more prevention of ill health a key ambition of the government’s 10-year Health Plan it’s great to see an extension of the tax on sugary drinks.

"Trusts work hard to make the most of every pound going into the NHS and are doing everything they can amid costly strikes - which put even more pressure on already strained budgets - and high demand to slash waiting times and see patients as quickly as possible."