This Public Accounts Committee report examined progress to date in
making NHS efficiency savings, on the basis of evidence from the
Department of Health. Conclusions drawn included the following: the
Department of Health's data on reported efficiency savings is
unreliable; financial pressures may be causing some hospital trusts to
cut staff with damaging effects on the quality and safety of care; there
are concerns over rationing of treatments; there is a need to
fundamentally change the way healthcare is provided to secure the level
of savings needed in the future; the public debate needs to be better
informed; and that it is not currently clear who will take strategic
decisions in the reformed NHS.
