Calls for extra NHS funding backed

NHS Highland board member Michael Foxley, who retired in 2010 after a 30- year career as a GP, agreed with campaigners who yesterday called for concerted pressure to be put on the Scottish Government for additional funding.

Amid reluctance by some colleagues, the former Highland Council leader said that he regularly pressed the government for extra funding in his roles as chairman of the Highlands and Islands Forestry Forum and the Further Education regional board.

Speaking after the health board meeting, Dr Foxley said: “It’s the job of the chairman and the chief executive.

“A £100million budget saving over three years is a very major challenge.

“The NHS in Scotland is still underfunded and we have particular problems in the Highlands in terms of the geography and the remoteness.

“We need to continue to campaign for additional funding for the Highlands.”

But he also echoed the board’s position that local health services must also evolve.

“Whether that involves Raigmore, rural hospitals or care homes, the direction of travel to get people out of hospital as soon as possible is great and will reduce the number of beds required,” he said.

He added: “But whatever we do must be based on evidence.”