The vote for Brexit and the economic and political turbulence that attends it have ushered in a period of huge risk and uncertainty for NHS finances, HSJ has been told.
The variables affecting public finances are now so many, and so great, that few experts were willing to offer firm predictions this morning about the outlook for NHS funding.
However, none of the independent experts and senior health service figures that spoke to HSJ expected increased funding to be among the more likely outcomes for the health service.
The major risk for the NHS arising from the Brexit vote is that it will trigger a recession, reducing tax revenues and increasing pressure on public spending. This could be compounded if the government’s cost of borrowing were to rise, making it more difficult for the government to cover reduced tax revenues with increased borrowing.
Full story in the HSJ 24 June 2016