FEARS over the deteriorating financial health of the NHS in St Helens have emerged as a body tasked with funding care set out plans to suspend some services.

St Helens Clinical Commissioning Group is facing a multi-million pound deficit and has come under fire after being branded "inadequate" in its year-end CCG Assurance Annual assessment by NHS England.

The CCG was rated inadequate for its finances and planning. Meanwhile, leadership was found to require improvement while delegated functions and performance were labelled as "good".

The CCG says it faces a funding gap of £12.5m over the next year which will result in "tough choices about what is affordable for our local population".

Despite breaking even last year, it did not achieve the required one per cent surplus target, meaning cost of healthcare was £3million more than was funded.

The CCG says this has had "a knock-on impact" on its financial position for 2015/16 and that the gap in funding this year is likely to be much higher than £3million.

Due to the situation, the organisation says it will consult on suspending, reducing or withdrawing certain services.

The CCG is also proposing to suspend specialist fertility services for people younger than 37. Those aged 37 to 39 will qualify for two cycles of IVF treatment while anyone aged 40 plus will have one cycle.

The body also plans to suspend "non-urgent" referrals to hospital for a four-month period.

Hospital referrals are described as "one of the biggest areas of financial pressure" which the CCG faces.

It says this will allow hospitals to concentrate on treating patients who require urgent referrals, suspected cancer and referrals for sick children and reduce the risk of an operation being cancelled during winter.

Proposals to be discussed also include no longer providing 'over the counter' medicines and to stop providing gluten-free foods unless there are specific circumstances where a patient could be at risk of dietary neglect.

Geoffrey Appleton, lay chair of the St Helens CCG, said: “We would prefer not to be in this position but we are by no means alone as an increasing number of CCGs are reporting similar financial challenges.

“There are unavoidable costs such as emergency healthcare, primary care services, your GP and pharmacist, and treatment for cancer and long-term conditions which the majority of patients would expect us to provide."

He added: “Although we are trying to make as many efficiency savings as we can, buying the same or similar services for less and reducing waste, our funding gap is so large we know these measures alone will not bring a resolution and we are faced with the prospect of proposing to suspend, reduce or withdraw certain services.

"We recognise these proposals will not be popular but we will be involving those, who want to have their say, in the discussions and we welcome your thoughts about how we should be making cost savings.”

St Helens South and Whiston MP Marie Rimmer blasted the government's CCG funding system which she says has "unfairly punished" St Helens residents.

Ms Rimmer said: “Despite the Tory government's claims that they are increasing spending in the NHS, the reality is very different. The government must urgently look at the funding system to ensure CCGs, who are working hard to improve efficiency, are given proper support and fair funding.

“St Helens’ population is unique with an unprecedented growth of residents living longer with multiple complex conditions.

"The number of St Helens residents aged over 85 is growing at almost 40 per cent faster than the national average.

“The government’s tariff system of ‘payment by results’ is flawed. For example, if a patient is admitted with pneumonia the cost increases if the patient also has hypertension or diabetes.

"The tariff system penalises CCGs when these residents are admitted to hospital. Despite NHS England’s awareness of this, it is not reflected in the present funding. This government system unfairly punishes St Helens CCG based on demographics instead of focusing on patient needs."

People can now have their say on the CCGs' proposals online until Wednesday, October 5 on surveymonkey.co.uk/r/ZZ7G5ZV. A paper version is available on request by emailing engagement@sthelensccg.nhs.uk