£30bn NHS funding black hole

The Royal College of General Practitioners has welcomed the "honesty" of NHS England after it warned the health care system needs to change or it will face a funding black hole of £30 billion:

NHS England has set out a "call to action" to staff, the public and politicians to help it meet future demand after finding that the NHS faces a funding black hole of £30 billion.

The health bosses called for an "open and honest debate" on the future shape of NHS in a bid to tackle the rising demand for services, introduce new technology and meet patients' expectations.

A document released by NHS England warns that improving the current system "will not be enough".

It states, "Without bold and transformative change to how services are delivered, a high quality yet free at the point of use health service will not be available to future generations".

Read: £30 billion NHS funding black hole

The NHS faces a funding black hole of £30 billion unless there is a "fundamental change" to the way the health care system is run, officials have warned.

A document released by NHS England claims the health service will not survive unless radical changes are made to the delivery of health care, such as hospital closures and the centralisation of services.

If the NHS in England continues to deliver care the way it currently is, there will be a funding gap of £30 billion by 2021 - even if the health budget is protected, the report said.

Health officials also warned pressures on the NHS could lead to another tragedy like the failings seen at Stafford Hospital.