THREAD: We’re hearing about new NHS money to be announced soon. Watch out for some old tricks and ask what the announcement really means. Here’s a list from me and @sallygainsbury
1/9: Is extra money for the NHS for England or UK? If it’s UK deduct around 15% to get the figure for England
2/9: Is extra NHS money cash rather than real? Have the figures been presented in current prices, or in future prices, which will make them sound bigger?
3/9: Does any spending increase include public health, education and other items that were excluded last time because only the NHS and not the wider health budget was increased?
4/9: Does any new NHS money include capital or is it just for revenue?
5/9: Is this new money or does it bundle up previously announced increases or internal sources such as NHS land sales or further raids on education and training, or trust surpluses?
6/9: What is the baseline year for any extra NHS money? If it’s 2018/19, does that include the final budget for 2018/19, which will soon be increased by around £1bn to cover the pay rise?
7/9: How much extra spending does this announce for healthcare above existing plans? Note that DHSC spending in 2019/20 was due to increase by £2.6bn in cash terms anyway
8/9: Has anything new been added into the Department of Health and Social Care’s responsibilities and if so did the money go with it?
9/9: If an NI increased is used to pay for the NHS funding settlement, has the impact on the NHS as an employer been considered?
What other wheezes should we be looking out for?
