Public invited to scrutinise health board’s performance

Members of the public are being encouraged to attend NHS Tayside’s annual review and put questions to its leaders following a tumultuous year.

The public session, being held in Dundee next week, will be opened by Health Secretary Shona Robison.

NHS Tayside chairman Professor John Connell will give a presentation on the health board’s record over the last 12 months.

He will be joined by chief executive Lesley Mclay and the board’s directors.

Details were unveiled after it was revealed NHS Tayside faces having to find more than £200 million of savings over the next five years.

The figures were contained in a report by the Auditor General for Scotland, which was presented to the Scottish Government.

Prof Connell said: “The review is an important date in our calendar as we are rightly held accountable in public for the services we provide.

“The board of NHS Tayside has always made it clear that it is committed to providing safe and effective healthcare, whilst acknowledging the challenges facing health services in the coming years.

“An ageing population, increasing demands on services and pressure on public finances means that the status quo for health and care services, both in Tayside and across Scotland, is not an option.

“Therefore, it is very important for us that we are able to talk honestly and transparently with the public about why we need to make changes to ensure our services are safe and sustainable for the future.

“Our annual review is open to everyone and I would encourage members of the public to take this opportunity to come along and see first-hand how we are doing and ask us about the work ongoing across Tayside.”

The event is being held at St Paul’s Academy, Gilburn Road, Dundee, on Monday at 2.30pm.