NHS Confederation responds to government announcement on plans to cut energy bills for businesses and public services

Responding to the government announcement on plans to cut energy bills for businesses and public services, Matthew Taylor chief executive of the NHS Confederation said:

“Health leaders welcome the support from the Government and that it will extend to fixed energy contracts agreed on or after April but they fear it will not go far enough at a time when many hospitals have already seen their bills increase by as much as 300% in the last year and primary care sites are also facing soaring costs. Simply put, money spent on rocketing energy prices is money that cannot be spent on patient care.

“We need to understand the exact detail of the Government’s support package but already, feel that the review period in three months will be vital as this crisis clearly will not have abated by April. NHS sites need certainty to plan for the future and this announcement does not give them that. The NHS is a 24/7 public service and hospitals, clinics, and GP surgeries cannot simply switch off the lights or turn down the radiators to manage their bills to the extents needed, especially in the depths of winter

“We also need long term action. The NHS is leading the way in its commitment to net zero. In the context of this energy crisis, we need to redouble our efforts on improving energy efficiency across the NHS.”