Budget gap could hit £29m for mental health trust

The NHS trust that provides mental health services across Norfolk and Suffolk said it faced a multi-million pound budget gap.

New figures predicted a £29m funding shortfall for the Norfolk and Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust in 2026-27.

Peter Passingham, the regional organiser for Unison, which represents staff at the trust, feared the deficit could put jobs at risk and affect services.

Jason Hollidge, chief finance officer at NSFT, did not comment specifically on any prospective job cuts but said the "quality of care" remained at the forefront of the trust's focus.

"As with all NHS organisations, there is an expectation to make year-on-year efficiency savings," added Hollidge.

"However, our priority remains improving the quality of care we provide as well as outcomes and experiences for our service users, families and carers, as we continue our work to deliver safer, kinder and better care."

The trust was previously called one of the worst-performing mental health trusts in the country, having been in and out of special measures for nearly a decade.

It was removed from special measures in February 2025 and now has an overall rating of Good, with some areas rated as Requires Improvement.

For 2025-26, it had a planned income of £375m, but in a report to Suffolk County Council, the trust outlined financial challenges for the next financial year.

It said it would still need to find £18.7m - or 5% - in efficiencies in 2025-26, was "facing a gap to break even" of £29.6m in 2026-27, and was looking to make "permanent efficiencies".

Passingham was concerned this could mean jobs would be lost.

"You just don't take £29.6m out of the service and expect there to be no impact on jobs or services," he said.

"When you see that your employer is being required to make £29m worth of savings, you can't help but wonder and worry if that means your job is going to go or get harder and worse."

He is also worried that a lack of funding could result in a poorer quality of care for patients.

"The trust really needs to focus on making sure that [patients are] getting consistent, good quality care," he said.

"It's having to find money, and that money is going to impact on the people's ability to deliver services and people's ability to do their jobs.

"Ultimately, you don't cut £30m out of the service and expect it to have no impact whatsoever on what patients receive."

The BBC asked the trust directly whether jobs or services would need to be cut to make up the budget shortfall.

Hollidge said: "We are in the process of finalising our Trust Annual Plan for 2026-27, which will be submitted to NHS England in line with the national planning timetable.

"Therefore, all figures remain indicative until that time."

The Department for Health and Social Care has been contacted for comment.

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