NHS bosses order trusts to draw up ‘unthinkable’ cuts

 NHS leaders are planning “unthinkable” measures including closing services, stopping treatments and extending waiting times, amid financial pressures, health officials say.

Fourteen areas of the country have been told to draw up plans to reduce overspending, including measures such as closures of maternity and accident & emergency departments.

Senior managers told the Health Service Journal they have been told to “think the unthinkable” to cap costs. The steps are being discussed privately by NHS England and NHS Improvement officials, with decisions expected after the election.

Some areas are seeking to lengthen lists of treatments deemed “low value” – or to refuse new treatments backed by rationing bodies.

NHS managers are also discussing limiting operations provided by private sector providers.

The 14 areas are under pressure because they are on course to miss agreed “overdraft limits”.