Nottinghamshire NHS trust already losing more than expected two months into financial year

Nottinghamshire Healthcare Trust, which runs Highbury Hospital near Bulwell and Sherwood Oaks Hospital in Mansfield, reported a £12m loss across May and June.

The trust’s financiers had anticipated losing money and made arrangements to that effect, with an aim to be £36m in the red by April 2027.

That would be an improvement on last year’s figures after the trust reported a £53m deficit by the end of the 2025-2026 period, which finished in April this year.

But losses are already running higher than expected.

The trust was hoping to have only lost £9.2m over the two month period, meaning it is £2.8m off target.

Interim director of finance Mark Bradley presented the figures at a trust board meeting on July 16.

He said: “I think it’s fair to say at this moment in time it’s a very challenging position but the organisation is very much focused in order to bring itself back on track again.

“Our deficit plan causes real concern and puts real pressure on the organisation.

"We have to ask for cash.”

His last point was a reference to the applying for a cash grant from NHS England – for which the trust has to justify the reasons for.

It was reported after the trust’s last board meeting in May, that the trust had made the move.

Non-executive director Sue Sunderland confirmed that the need for a new application had been agreed by the trust’s finance committee, and that it would take place in September.

She said: “Unfortunately, at the minute we are off track.

"Mainly, a large proportion of it is due to the demand for mental health beds.”

The trust has spent an extra £3.9m on beds for patients in the first two months of the financial year, primarily due to ‘high demand and admissions pressures’.

With not enough beds to accommodate people entering their services, it has meant they have had to pay for independent hospitals to provide for patients, at a significant cost.

Spending on bank staff also exceeded plans by £0.7m in May and June.

The trust saved £3m elsewhere to offset the losses – but it has still resulted in a less-than-favourable financial position.