In a recent interview, the Chief Executive of the NHS in England, Sir David Nicholson, said, “Some hospitals will find impending NHS reforms ‘difficult’ and could have to merge to survive.”

“The combination of almost no increase in the NHS budget over the next four years – only 0.1 per cent above inflation and the reforms meant that they would have to adapt to remain competitive.”

“However, the expectation was that no hospitals in England would completely close. Most hospitals will be able to survive and thrive in the new world. But undoubtedly there will be those that will find it difficult.”

“The thing about the hospital service is that it has grown enormously over the last 10 years in particular and we are going into a period where growth in the NHS is what they describe as flat real.”

“Managers of many hospitals have become used to budgets rising year after year, and they have adapted themselves accordingly and they now need to change how they worked.”

“These hospitals whose business model is based on increasing capacity have got to seriously look at the way the operate.”

“That is why some hospitals are looking towards taking over community services,” he said.

Sir David Nicholson hinted that there could be further job losses in the future, saying, “That some hospital trusts could have to merge with others. This would lead to the reduction of some services.”

“Some would also end up being run by private companies.” Last November, one such hospital had done exactly that – with a private firm chosen to run Hinchingbrooke hospital in Huntingdon, which has debts approaching £40 million. 

With private firms taking over previously run NHS Hospitals such as Hinchingbrooke Hospital, the demand for locum doctors, specialist registrar jobs, SHO jobs doctors will shift from the NHS to private healthcare providers. 

Sir David went on further to add, “It was too early to say how frequently these approached would be needed.”

Andrew George, a Liberal Democrat MP who sits on the Health Committee, said, “The comments indicated the coalition’s health plans were potentially catastrophic.”

“The Government can either seek the most ambitious efficiency gain in its 62 year history and greater than any health system worldwide or it can push ahead with monumental reorganisation.”

“Sir David’s remarks are a further indication that to attempt both at once is a high risk and potentially catastrophic mix.”

Paul Flynn, from the British Medical Association’s consultants committee, said, “It is going to get harder especially when you consider the private sector is going to get more involved. There is a real risk.” 

With the likelihood of more hospitals merging, the underline concern amongst doctors and healthcare professionals is that more jobs will go within the NHS. As the number of doctors employed directly by the NHS decrease, the demand for doctors and locum doctors is likely to increase as hospitals strive to maintain and deliver first class patient care. 

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