High agency staffing costs made worse by Covid-19 related absence over recent months added to difficulties recruiting staff could leave the region's biggest NHS mental health trust facing a deficit of £8.5m this year.
NHS bosses at the Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear mental health trust warned that challenges around staffing, demand on services and finances made for a difficult operating environment. Wards across the trust's four service areas - North Cumbria, "North" (Northumberland and North Tyneside), "Central" (Newcastle and Gateshead) and "South" (Sunderland and South Tyneside) - reported high vacancy rates and high levels of agency staffing in May.
A report discussed at the trust's board meeting on August 3 highlighted these concerns. After the first quarter of the 2022-2023 financial year, a finance report highlights that CNTW currently has a £2.6m deficit. The Trust is forecasted to deliver a £5.6m surplus as part of a financial plan agreed with the North East and North Cumbria Integrated Care System.
