In response to a number of questions NHS Providers has received on the sustainability and transformation plans (STP) that are being developed by 44 local areas in England, NHS Providers chief executive Chris Hopson said:

“There is now a clear and widening gap between what the NHS is required to deliver and the funding available, and this will only get worse as overall funding increases drop from next year. That is why we are supporting local health and social care services coming together as part of the sustainability and transformation planning process to work out what a sustainable future will look like for care services. It’s important that everyone supports this process as the best means of achieving a sustainable health and care system.