Swale’s health bosses have warned they are facing “great challenges” as they struggle to balance their books.

Last year, NHS Swale Clinical Commissioning Group, which plans and pays for the bulk of the area’s health services, overspent by £2 million.

NHS England has insisted the organisation, headed by GP Fiona Armstrong, must not plunge into the red again and should aim to break even.

But the finance team is already predicting it could be up
to £6.6 million adrift by next April unless immediate action is taken.

Dr Armstrong told the body’s annual meeting at Hempstead House, Sittingbourne, on Wednesday: “Last year was
particularly challenging and the coming year may be even more of a challenge financially.”

Patricia Davies, the CCG’s accountable officer, blamed most of the overspend on additional costs at Medway Maritime Hospital as the Medway Foundation Trust struggled to claw its way out of special measures.

She said: “We have a growing number of people living longer with more complex conditions. It will be a great challenge.

“We must learn to live within our means. But we can’t achieve that without changing the whole way we work.

“Our annual budget of £159.6m may sound an awful lot but it isn’t when you consider the services we have to commission.”

In the past year, NHS England has downgraded the CCG’s performance from “good” to “requires improvement” mainly because of its finances.

During the same period its sister CCG, Dartford, Gravesham and Swanley, dropped to “inadequate”.

NHS England highlighted concerns about “capacity” problems with the executive leadership team responsible for both CCGs.

Bosses have since completed a shake-up to reduce duplication, employed a “turnaround director”, created a programme assurance board to make sure what
is planned actually happens,
and made a financial recovery plan.

But Mrs Davies warned: “There are significant risks to this plan. It is being further reviewed to identify more opportunities to mitigate our risks and close the financial gap.

“The scale of this task cannot be underestimated and some very difficult decisions will have to be made over the coming weeks.”

Chief Nurse Hunts For New Blood

Students can explore careers in health after a brainwave from Chief Nurse Gail Locock.

Gail, who works for NHS Swale Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG), grew up in the area and now wants to encourage others to follow in her footsteps.

She has put together a free Explore Health careers festival at the Isle of Sheppey Oasis Academy in Marine Parade, Sheerness, on Wednesday (Oct 11) from 10am to 6pm.

She said: ““I’m hoping it will inspire others to follow in my footsteps. As a young girl growing up in Minster I never thought for one moment I would end up as a Chief Nurse. It’s taken hard work and dedication but the opportunities are there for young people.

Gail, who went to Lady Anne Cheyne and Sheppey Comprehensive schools, said: “I was inspired to become a nurse at 16. I worked for Age Concern as a carer and helped feed and wash those who were unable to look after themselves.

“I met so many great people. One was a former nurse. Her stories made me think that was what I wanted to do. She was a real inspiration. I remember her with great fondness.”

She added: “We need to cultivate the NHS workforce for the future and I’m hoping this event can help us do that.”

She has the backing of Health Education England which is desperate to address the acute shortage of health staff especially in Swale. It is hoping to attract 600 young people from schools and youth groups.

Mike Bailey, a senior career progression programme manager for Kent, Surrey and Sussex, said: “We want to give young people the opportunity to meet a variety of health and social care professionals to discover the different career opportunities available.”

There will be exhibits, interactive workshops and talks from health and social care professionals.

Explore Health will be open to Oasis Academy Year 10 students from 10am to 12.30pm, sixth formers and year 10 students from other schools from 1pm to 3pm and to other young people, parents and youth organisations from 4pm to 6pm.