Health / Struggle to increase funding for NHS continues
NHS Shetland is pursuing a permanent increase in budget with the recognition that certain costs, such as locums, are likely to recur into the future.
The health board heard today (Tuesday) that it is facing a £1.1 million overspend with savings of £288,000 that are £139,000 less than were planned.
Interim chief executive Simon Bokor-Ingram said that the board was at the point of having to consider spendings that had been treated as irregular cost pressures as “baseline” costs for NHS Shetland.
Bokor-Ingram and chairman Gary Robinson are to meet with Scottish Government officials with the aim of securing a £1.2 million primary care funding increase that was also granted last year.
“Ideally, we would get that recurrently,” said Bokor-Ingram following the meeting. “It would give us much more surety about our planning assumptions each year, to get that recurrently.
“If the cost is never going to reduce then we need to factor that into our yearly planning assumptions, rather than than to keep talking about it as a cost pressure.”
The £1.2m is needed to “secure primary care” he added.
The forecast out-turn position is that the Board will achieve its statutory obligation to break even if the £1.2m for primary care is received.
The report by finance director Colin Marsland says: “However this projection is based upon the level of savings identified in the agreed financial plan are delivered and an additional £1.2m from Scottish Government regarding specific services funding for Primary Care.”
Financial problems continue to stem from the number of locums employed by the NHS locally. “All the GP and acute services consultant vacancies have already all been through at least three recruitment campaigns,” says the report.
The meeting also heard that 83 per cent of NHS Shetland resources were spent in the isles.
NHS Shetland is presently advertising for a new chief executive.
Become a supporter of Shetland News
Shetland News is asking its many readers to consider start paying for their dose of the latest local news delivered straight to their PC, tablet or mobile phone.
Journalism comes at a price and because that price is not being paid in today’s rapidly changing media world, most publishers - national and local - struggle financially despite very healthy audience figures.
Most online publishers have started charging for access to their websites, others have chosen a different route. Shetland News currently has over 600 supporters who are all making small voluntary financial contributions. All funds go towards covering our cost and improving the service further.
Your contribution will ensure Shetland News can: -
- Bring you the headlines as they happen;
- Stay editorially independent;
- Give a voice to the community;
- Grow site traffic further;
- Research and publish more in-depth news, including more Shetland Lives features.
If you appreciate what we do and feel strongly about impartial local journalism, then please become a supporter of Shetland News by either making a single payment or monthly subscription.
Support us from as little as £3 per month – it only takes a minute to sign up. Thank you.