NHS England could face £7bn budget shortfall next year, finance chief warns

Julian Kelly says potential sharp increase in funding gap due to Covid, bill for NHS staff pay rises and inflation in supply costs

GP services, cancer care and mental health treatment may face cuts because of an NHS budget shortfall of up to 7bn next year, the health service's finance chief has said.

Waiting times could increase and overstretched A&E units could face even greater challenges in dealing with the surge in patients needing medical attention, he added.