For the year 2012/12 the trust have already identified savings :
£12.5 million pounds of savings were made during the year and Directors and Senior managers have been asked to find additional areas where savings can be made.
KEY RISKS: The following areas have significant elements of estimation, and could thus impact on our year-end estimates.
a) Agenda for Change: Whilst 400 leavers’ arrears have been calculated,
the Trust currently is unable to progress these for payment as the
leaver has still to confirm their National Insurance number for security
clearance. In addition, approximately 1,200 staff successfully
appealed their agenda for change banding. Some £3.6million of
reviews have progressed onto their regionally approved new banding.
There is a balance of £700,000 retained for outcomes still to be
confirmed.
b) Elective Care Reform: The financial position assumes that Elective
Care Access work will break-even.
c) SBA Volumes: HSCB correspondence with the Trust has emphasised
the requirement to fully deliver on volumes (CORE work). Failure to
achieve this may result in financial sanctions.
d) Community Care Issues: PCCOPS and Mental Health/Disability
Directorates have agreed the apportionment of the 2012/13
demography funding. Fifty percent of the target is to be matched by
productivity. We are currently assessing the growth in activity volumes
this year which are linked to demographic issues.
e) Additional Medical Costs: The European Working Time Directive
(EWTD) and new Specialist Doctors’ Contract will have a financial
impact on the Trust. EWTD relates primarily to the Hospital at Night
scheme in Antrim Hospital which is currently being reviewed by ISG
(circa £260,000 FYE) The Specialist Doctor’s Contract was costed by
DHSSPS; however the Trust has revisited these costs and believe that
recurrent emerging revenue costs in the region of some £350,000 will
impact on the Trust during 2012/13. DHSSPS have indicated that they
would not be able to cover these additional costs.
f) The balance of the 2011/12 Modernisation & Recovery Plans falling
into 2012/13 amounted to £4.216million. The recurrent breakeven
position requires these plans to be delivered in full.
g) The final recurrent costs associated with any potential AFC Clustering
issues are as yet unknown. HSCB have funded £1.1million recurrently
in anticipation of the settlement of these requests.
The Northern Trust is the only Trust in Northern Ireland to project a deficit, the trust board have failed in both performance and finance.