DCH crisis: Financial position 'improving' (From Thisisdorset)

DCH crisis: Financial position 'improving'

9:35am Thursday 9th September 2010 in

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HOSPITAL chiefs say they are confident the deficit is now under control.

Directors of Dorset County Hospital discussed the hospital’s financial situation at the first ever board meeting that was open to the public yesterday morning.

It is now estimated that the deficit will be at £3.5million at the end of the 2010/2011 financial year in March.

The hospital had originally projected a deficit of £7.4million but this was reduced to £5.1million in July this year and has since been reduced again to £3.5million.

Bill Boa, director of finances and resources, described the hospital’s cash position as improving.

He said: “We’re forecasting a deficit for the end of this year as £3.5million.

“I am confident this is a position we will achieve. The situation is better than it was.”

He added that the trust is half a million pounds ahead of what it expected to be as it stands today.

New chief executive Jean O’Callaghan, who was present at the meeting after having been in her post for just eight days, also reported that the financial position was improving.

Mrs O’Callaghan was due to take up the post in October but she was able to take to her role early on September 1.