Urgent Health UK warns of severe impact from budget decisions on social enterprise NHS urgent healthcare providers

Urgent Health UK (UHUK), representing social enterprise organisations providing urgent, integrated, out-of-hours and out-of-hospital care to 70% of the UK population on behalf of the NHS, has issued a stark warning following the Autumn Budget. The increases to employer National Insurance Contributions (ENIC) and the National Living Wage could have devastating financial consequences for its members.

For individual UHUK members, the financial impact is projected to range from £80k to £3m in the first year alone, with an average increase of nearly £0.5m per organisation. As social enterprises, UHUK members operate with minimal surpluses or on a break-even basis, leaving no capacity to absorb these additional costs without further funding.

“Many of our members are already stretched thin,” said UHUK Chief Executive Conor Burke. “These new costs will force difficult decisions that could significantly affect patients, staff, and the wider NHS system.”

UHUK members are central to achieving the Government’s vision of the “three big shifts” in healthcare: moving care from hospital to community, embracing digital transformation, and prioritising prevention over treatment. As some of the most digitally and virtually enabled organisations in the healthcare sector, UHUK members use innovative tools to reduce hospital admissions, ambulance call-outs, and A&E visits.

They also deliver community-based care that helps prevent long-term conditions from developing or worsening through workplace and at-home prevention initiatives.

“Failing to invest in our sector would undermine these priorities,” added Conor. “Our members are helping to transform the healthcare system, but they need the Government’s support to continue this essential work.”

UHUK warns that without protection from these financial pressures, its members may be forced to take drastic action, such as:

• Staffing reductions that compromise patient experience and satisfaction.

• Withdrawal of non-contracted services, such as Emergency Department revalidations.

• Delays or cancellations of planned service enhancements.

• Pay freezes, exacerbating recruitment and retention challenges.

The ripple effects of these actions will inevitably increase A&E attendances, prolong waiting times, and harm patient experience.

UHUK is calling on the Government to ensure that its members are treated on a par with NHS organisations in funding allocations, safeguarding their ability to continue delivering essential services to millions of patients every year.

“Our members play a critical role in reducing pressure on NHS resources while providing high-quality care to millions of people,” Conor added. “Without equitable funding, the impact on the health system will be profound.”