I today warned Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt MP about the threat to local health and social care services from a major funding shortfall.

In the House of Commons, I said that local NHS and partner organisations had ambitious plans for services in South Yorkshire, but would be prevented from achieving them because of a looming £571 million funding shortfall for health and social care services by 2020/21.

NHS organisations are drawing up the South Yorkshire and Bassetlaw Sustainability and Transformation Plan, which sets out health and care priorities for the future in the region, but there are fears that squeezed budgets could undermine their proposals. 

In Parliament I challenged Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt, saying:

The South Yorkshire and Bassetlaw Sustainability and Transformation Plan set out some very positive ambitions. But it warns that there will be a financial shortfall for health and social care services of £571 million in our area by 2020/21. Their ambitions are unachievable unless the Government address the funding shortfall. What is the Secretary of State going to do about it?

Sheffield’s excellent NHS staff are struggling with declining resources. Unless the Government acts, the situation will get worse. The Government must put the money in place so that the NHS can thrive and adapt for the future.