Robison vows to ensure NHS board’s plans are ‘robust’

Health Secretary and Dundee East MSP Shona Robison has vowed to ensure NHS Tayside’s new plans are “robust” to address its financial challenges.

Ms Robison, speaking on the second day of The Courier’s investigation into NHS Tayside’s cash crisis, pledged her commitment to protecting frontline services and reforming the system.

She added: “We are actively engaged with NHS Tayside through performance management arrangements, providing support to ensure that their plan is robust and that it addresses the immediate challenges, whilst also making improvements to services over the next five years.

“NHS Scotland chief executive Paul Gray has established an advisory group, chaired by Professor Sir Lewis Ritchie, that will work with NHS Tayside to help deliver their programme and report back within three months on the robustness of the plan and progress made to date.

“This measure is part of our approach to performance management of NHS boards and we are confident it will help put in place the steps required to achieve a sustainable financial balance.”

Ms Robison also highlighted the Scottish Government’s commitments to the health board.

“In 2017-18 NHS Tayside will receive an additional £18.5 million, which will bring the board’s overall funding to £717.6m,” she said.