Department of Health places ‘budget cap’ on money available for testing patients and staff
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A “budget cap” on coronavirus tests means NHS hospitals in England face paying for them from their own budgets unless they gain approval. The cap was placed on the amount of money available for tests for patients and staff, according to information sent to trusts.
The guidance, first reported by the Independent, makes clear that NHS providers will need formal approval from the Department of Health and Social Care and its test-and-trace service or they will not be able to claim back costs, which will be funded on a “capped actuals basis” and have a “maximum budget”.
