... As the flatlining NHS faces £63m deficit and care crisis
THE NHS in Scotland is facing a massive budget black-hole that could threaten the quality of care offered to patients. New figures uncovered by The Scottish Mail on Sunday show the NHS is on course to overspend by nearly £63 million this year. Experts say patients will suffer unless the Scottish Government gives boards more cash. Overall, five health boards have warned they could face a deficit to the tune of £62.7 million. Dr Nikki Thompson, of BMA Scotland, said: ‘Without sufficient additional resources to allow the NHS to keep pace with population needs, it will become impossible to maintain current levels and quality of service.’ In October, Audit Scotland said some boards may fail to balance their books despite introducing cost-cutting measures. NHS Ayrshire and Arran, which was singled out by the report for breaking normal accounting practice last year, expects to overspend by £13.2 million. NHS Tayside expects to plunge £11.6 million into the red despite savings of almost £47 million. NHS Fife expects a £9.4 million overspend, while NHS Borders said its ‘worst case scenario’ is a £3 million overspend. NHS Orkney expects to be £327,000 in the red. NHS Glasgow and Clyde has overspent by £12.7 million already but insists it can balance its books by the year end. NHS Highland is facing a potential £12.4 million overspend.
Health Secretary Shona Robison said: ‘This year, territorial NHS boards are receiving an average increase in funding of 5.5 per cent – an increase of over £475 million in this year alone.’