With no changes, the deficit in health funding in the North East could be £641million – or £904million including social care – by 2021.
That is the stark background to what has been described as the biggest shake-up to the NHS in a generation, following an inquiry by the investigations team of our publisher, Johnston Press.
The major overhaul is set out in a number of Sustainability and Transformation Plans (STPs), with England divided into 44 areas.
There are around 1.7million people in the Northumberland, Tyne and Wear, and North Durham footprint, which covers the boundaries of six clinical commissioning groups, six local authorities and a number of providers.
The worst-case scenario – a funding gap of £904million – is the sixth highest out of the 44 STP areas in England. Based on a population of 1,7million, it requires a £531.76 reduction per person.