Probe call over NHS fund raid
HEALTH Secretary Shona Robison is under pressure to launch an urgent investigation into “truly shocking” revelations that a cash-strapped health board used charity money to fund IT systems.
NHS Tayside took £2.71 million from its endowment fund – money made up of donations from the public or bequests in wills – after running out of cash in 2013/14.
Of this, £2.3m was spent on ehealth initiatives including new computer equipment.
Opposition politicians called on Health Secretary Shona Robison, who represents the Dundee City East area, to intervene.
Labour health spokesman Anas
Sarwar MSP said: “These are shocking claims that will stun the public.”
Jenny Marra, chairwoman of Holyrood’s Public Audit Committee, said: “I believe this is a huge breach of trust with the people of Tayside who raise money in good faith for patients’ comfort, not for computer systems.”
Alex Cole-hamilton, Libdems health spokesman, said: “The public will be appalled to think their donations were being used to plug gaps elsewhere.”
Professor John Connell, chairman of NHS Tayside, said the IT projects that were funded “were appropriate for endowment funding”.
He said: “These proposals totalling £2.38m were not for back office IT systems but covered new, patient-facing approaches.
“These included electronic referral and booking systems allowing GPS, dentists and opticians to directly refer into consultant and specialist colleagues; new telehealth video technology for patients; and a mobile system allowing GPS, clinicians and district nurses to access and update records from people’s homes.”