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New NHS target could lead to cuts New NHS target 'may lead to cuts'
(about 2 hours later)
The Welsh Assembly Government has been warned its key NHS waiting list target for next year cannot be met without service cuts. Key Welsh NHS waiting list targets for next year cannot be met without service cuts, finance experts have claimed.
Experts say the proposed 3.1% NHS budget increase for Wales is not enough to help it meet the challenging 26-week treatment deadline it has been set. NHS finance directors say the proposed 3.1% Welsh budget increase is not enough to help meet the challenging 26-week treatment deadline.
As a result, they have warned pressure to hit the target could lead to staff and service cutbacks elsewhere. As a result, they have warned the assembly government that pressure to hit the target could lead to staff and service cuts elsewhere.
The NHS in Wales must meet the new waiting time target by December 2009. The NHS in Wales has been told it must meet the new target by December 2009.
The service has been allocated £63m in extra funding to help it reach this goal but has not been given any extra resources. The service has been allocated £63m in extra funding to help it reach this goal.
NHS finance directors say it will be a significant challenge to meet, given all the other pressures on the health service. NHS finance directors say it will be a significant challenge, given all the other pressures on the health service.
These pressures include inflation, a legal cut in junior doctors hours and the introduction of new policies such as free hospital car parking. These pressures include inflation, a legal cut in junior doctors' hours and the introduction of new policies such as free hospital car parking.
The directors believe extremely difficult decisions about priorities in the service will have to be made despite planned productivity gains and efficiencies aimed at helping the NHS reach the treatment target being introduced. The directors believe extremely difficult decisions about priorities in the service will have to be made, despite planned productivity gains and efficiencies aimed at helping the NHS reach the treatment target being introduced.