Telford health group reports a surplus of £2.6 million
The group which runs health services in Telford has reported a surplus of nearly £3 million in its accounts at the end of the financial year, a meeting heard.
The figures were presented to a board meeting of Telford & Wrekin Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) at Meeting Point House in the town yesterday afternoon.
The report acknowledged the surplus had been achieved while a number of its partners in the health system faced "significant financial challenges".
Shropshire Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG), which runs services in the rest of the county, is on course to post a near £15 million deficit over the same period, from April last year to April 2016.
The £2.6 million surplus is £500,000 better than the forecast £2.1m bosses agreed on at the start of the financial year, the report presented to the board said.
Speaking at the meeting, the CCG's chief finance officer, Andrew Nash, said: "Quite early in the year we were able to set ourselves a target in terms of surplus, and that was agreed with NHS England. I am pleased to say that we have achieved the forecast outturn.
"Having a sound financial footing is good for the population of Telford, and as a commissioning body it allows us to plan more effectively and make wise investment decisions for the future."
The report says: "Subject to external audit, the CCG has achieved a surplus of £2.6 million. Through prudent financial management the CCG has mitigated the majority of its financial risks for 2016/17.
"It is planned that the surplus will be drawn down in future years and invested in line with the CCG's medium term financial strategy. A number of our partners within the health system face significant financial challenges. The CCG is working with partners, where possible, to support the local system."
Last month Shropshire Clinical Commissioning Group was ordered to appoint a turnaround director, implement an improvement plan and produce a financial recovery plan to deal with its deficit of £14.5 million. David Evans was appointed as the leader for both Shropshire and Telford & Wrekin Clinical Commissioning Groups.
