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London NHS provider to cut third of voluntary sector funding

Finance | Jonathan Last | 9 Feb 2012

NHS Enfield primary care trust has confirmed that in financial year 2012/13 the voluntary sector in the borough will receive £500,000 – a third less than the historic spend of £750,000 in previous years.

The cuts were first mooted by NHS North Central London, parent organisation to NHS Enfield, following its annual review of its provider contracts in October last year. Findings of this review were discussed at the NHS North Central London and Enfield Clinical Commissioning Group’s January board meetings and a statement confirming the cuts released today.

"Each voluntary sector contract was reviewed individually in partnership with the organisation and local GP commissioners," the body advised.

“Where funding for some projects has not been carried forward because they did not provide healthcare services, we are working closely with voluntary sector groups to help them find new sources of funding.”

One such group is Age UK Enfield, which was originally told in October last year that it stood to lose £148,749 worth of grants for foot treatments, day care for dementia sufferers, and an active life service for elderly and vulnerable people.

The group is currently under negotiation with the NHS to renew its £25,000 grant for the foot treatments, but turned  to the local council for further support, successfully achieving funding for its other services.

Lisa Seagroatt, Community Services Director for Age UK Enfield, said: “When the NHS's plans to cut were first announced last year, we were devastated since some of the most vulnerable elderly people in the borough rely on the support of our services.

“Fortunately, we have been able to adapt our funding sources, but we are, of course, only secure for another year.”

The findings of this review were discussed at the NHS North Central London and Enfield Clinical Commissioning Group’s January board meetings.

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