Funding boost ‘won’t save NHS from crisis’

The NHS funding pledged by Jeremy Hunt is hundreds of millions of pounds short of what is required to improve care in the crisis-hit health service, experts have warned. In his autumn statement the chancellor promised a further £6.6bn, yet health chiefs say the money will allow the NHS to stave off disaster but not achieve its long-term targets. It is also feared that the extra money will not cover the cost of expected NHS pay rises.