Almost two-thirds of NHS organisations expect to cut or reduce services this year, while more than half are set to slash jobs. This comes despite former Health Secretary Wes Streeting's claim that Labour was on track to achieve 'the fastest improvement in NHS waiting times in history'.
In his resignation letter on Thursday, Streeting painted a picture of a service left in robust condition. 'Today's figures confirm that we surpassed our waiting times target despite strikes, and that waiting lists fell by 110,000 in March - the biggest monthly drop outside of Covid since 2008 - meaning that we are on track to achieve the fastest improvement in NHS waiting times in history,' he wrote.
However, a survey by NHS Alliance, formed from the merger of NHS Providers and the NHS Confederation, reveals that NHS bodies are anticipating significant cuts. The poll of 187 leaders from NHS trusts and integrated care boards (ICBs) found that almost two-thirds expect to cut or reduce services this year, and over half plan to reduce clinical staff.
More than three-quarters (75 per cent) said finances would be even tougher in 2026/27 compared to the previous 12 months. Some 64 per cent said they expected to cut services, while 57 per cent said they expected to reduce clinical staff this year. Additionally, 64 per cent expressed concerns about patient experience, and 83 per cent worried about the impact of financial measures on planned care. Over nine in ten (93 per cent) said they worried about staff morale.
Another poll of GP leaders, with 48 responses, found that almost all (96 per cent) were concerned about the impact of financial measures on day-to-day access.
One trust chief executive warned: 'The overriding focus on finance at the expense of patients and particularly staff will have repercussions.' Another said NHS services 'are being asked to make deep cuts across the board' and warned that 'at some point there will be consequences that will be felt by patients and their families'.
NHS Alliance chief executive Sir Ciaran Devane said: 'In the last year the NHS has pulled off a remarkable double – improving performance at a time of growing demand, and balancing budgets in the face of relentless and often unpredictable pressures such as strike action.' He added: 'Our survey and interviews also show that the focus on targets and delivering record efficiency savings have come at a cost, with many hard-won gains now at risk.'
Sir Ciaran noted that local NHS leaders point to likely service closures and job cuts this year, as well as deteriorating staff morale. He also highlighted concerns that the Government's ambitions to move more care into the community could be derailed if short-term measures are prioritised and cash savings are not recycled into funding reform.
The report comes after it emerged that the Government and NHS England had met a key target on waiting times for treatment. Hours later, Wes Streeting resigned as Health Secretary and was replaced by James Murray.
A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said: 'We recognise the challenges NHS leaders face, but this government has supported the health service with record investment, boosted productivity, and driven improvements in tech. Waiting lists are at their lowest level in more than three years, and over half a million fewer people are waiting for treatment since July 2024.'
