Government accused over NHS surplus

My Account
Logout

Create an Evening Standard Account

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Welcome! Sign in here

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Forgot your password ?

Registration

* indicates fields that are mandatory

Email *

Password *

Confirm Password *

First name *

Surname *

Postcode *

Country *

Mobile phone number

Username *

Gender *

Year of birth *

When you sign up...

You will have access to all our online competitions, discounted offers and can post comments on our site.

You will also receive The Weekender newsletter sent every Thursday - it’s full of fantastic offers and ideas for the weekend. You can update your email preferences in your account page when you log in.

Other newsletters and emails

Homes & Property Newsletter - Yes I want to receive the weekly email with all the latest news on property in the capital

Occasionally we would also like to send you relevant emails detailing specific offers either from ourselves or carefully selected partners. If you would prefer not to receive these then please tick the appropriate boxes below. We will never pass on your details.

I do not want to receive additional offers and information from the Evening Standard

I do not want to receive additional offers and information sent by Evening Standard on behalf of carefully selected partners

Terms and Conditions

* I have read, understood and agree to be bound by the terms and conditions of Evening Standard

Registration

Mail Sent for Registration Confirmation.

A confirmation email has been sent. Please activate your account by clicking on the activation link sent in your mail box.

The new NHS operating framework calls on trusts to have a surplus next year at least equivalent to the £1.8bn achieved this year.

The Department of Health insisted it was not being prescriptive about what trusts spent the cash on, but that it was sensible to have a surplus.

The framework said the "surplus delivered in 2007/08 by SHAs and PCTs will be carried forward to 2008/09 (after adjustment for any over/underspend movements from the 2006/07 audited accounts).

"Each strategic health authority area should then plan for a surplus in 2008/09 at least equivalent to that total."

Health Secretary Alan Johnson said earlier this year that the surplus would be ploughed back into patient care.

BMA spokesman Mark Porter said NHS staff had been assured the "pain" of achieving surpluses would result in greater service investment. "Now the operating framework has been published we discover the Government is not delivering on that promise."

A Department of Health spokeswoman told BMA News the surplus - around 2% of the total NHS budget - represented "good financial planning".

"Having delivered this it is prudent to keep it at around this level next year to allow us to respond to in-year pressures whilst being able to commit all the growth money we have received in the comprehensive spending review on new things as opposed to clearing debts."

However, she insisted health authorities were not forbidden from using the cash. "We are saying it's good financial planning for them to keep it," she said.