The briefing warns that unless additional funding is found, a growing black hole in NHS finances could have significant consequences for patient care. Although there are opportunities for the NHS to improve productivity, the briefing argues that initiatives to reduce spending on agency staff and increase financial control will not be enough to offset growing deficits among NHS providers. It also warns that the £8 billion a year increase in the NHS budget pledged by the government by 2020 is the bare minimum needed to maintain standards of care.