Hospitals in poor financial health

The health authority responsible for a padlocked NHS ward is facing the biggest financial shortfall in the country.

Hospitals in north-west London are closing wards, shutting operating theatres and freezing all recruitment to save money. But experts warn this is just storing up more trouble for the future.

Research in today's Health Service Journal shows the NHS as a whole is forecasting a year-end deficit of £341m across England - over £100m more than it was predicting just two months ago. Of the 28 Strategic Health Authorities (SHA) in the country, North West London SHA, is facing the biggest shortfall with an expected £47.5m debt.

Chief executive Gareth Goodier said work was being undertaken to make the hospitals in the area more efficient.

Evening Standard revealed in January how specialist orthopaedic hospital Ravenscourt Park had shut and padlocked one of its wards because it had run out of money to treat patients. Its sister hospital, Hammersmith, faces a shortfall of £9 million.

Primary Care Trusts in the area, which pay hospitals for treating their patients, are also in financial trouble.