Trafford Healthcare trust is the second most in debt in the country.
The trust, which runs Trafford General – the NHS’s birthplace – was one of only 10 hospitals in the country not to balance its books last year.
A new probe by the Audit Commission reveals bosses owe £6m – almost seven per cent of the hospital’s annual income – second only to South London Healthcare which owes £42m.
Last year it was revealed the hospital suffered an 11 per cent funding cut so had negotiated to pay back its £11m debt over two years.
Trafford Healthcare chief executive Ron Calvert says financial recovery plans are on track.
He added: “We have an outstanding track record of success in reducing cost while delivering very high-quality care to our patients.
“We successfully achieved £5m savings last year as planned and are on track to make £6.1m of savings this year as planned.
“This has all been achieved while maintaining high clinical standards – we haven’t had a single case of MRSA bloodstream infection in the past 18 months and are the only trust in the north west in the top-performing band for patient safety.”
The commission also highlighted problems at Bury PCT – which is looking to save £16m before April.
It was also rated ‘1’ –the lowest possible score for managing finances and ‘2’ for both governing the business and managing finance. Overall, the watchdog says the NHS is in good financial shape and prepared for leaner years to come.
Nationally, an overall surplus of £1.5bn was recorded by hospitals, primary care trusts and strategic health authorities.
Nationally, six hospital trusts and four PCTs failed to achieve financial balance in 2009/10. Andy McKeon, the Audit Commission’s managing director for health, said: “Improving services with less money and during a period of change will be a tough challenge, but the auditors’ assessments show clear signs of sustained improvement in financial management in most NHS trusts and PCTs. And it’s a real achievement that there was no difference overall between draft and final accounts.”
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Well what a surprise ( I don't think). People are sick of Trafford General and Tameside General, they have always been a waste of money and a drain for the public. All they have produced is overspend after overspend, yet when you look at what they have spent the overspend on, it is usually waste of money projects which officials who work at these places have praised and congratulated themselves on. ANOTHER NON RESIGNATION BLUNDER BY THE FACELESS ADMINISTRATORS>
Another organisation in Trafford with debt problems. is it something in the whisky?
Its the level of service that counts.
Would you prefer to be at Tameside General that balances the books but has an appalling record of providing quality healthcare or Traffod?
I know which I would prefer!!