NHS received '£1.8 billion in extra cash in eight years'

The Department of Health has pumped an extra £1.8 billion into 46 NHS bodies since 2006/7, a damning report into NHS finances found.

The National Audit Office found:

• Of the £1.8 billion only £160 million has been repaid.
• Among the struggling trusts to be bailed out in 2013/14, North Cumbria University Hospitals received the highest total of £42 million.
• Next up was Peterborough and Stamford Hospitals with £40.7 million.
• In third place was University Hospital of North Staffordshire with £37 million.
• Forty-four health trusts moved from surplus in 2012/13 to deficit in 2013/14.
• Overall, NHS bodies achieved a net surplus of £722 million in 2013/14 - a third of the £2.1 billion recorded in the previous 12 months.