25 November 2011
Preliminary figures issued by the Scottish Government indicate that NHS Highland’s revenue budget could face a cut in real terms in the next financial year.
The Scottish Government’s initial revenue allocation in the current year to NHS Highland has been £484.8 million.
However, next year’s anticipated revenue budget in 2012-13 shows a potential cut of £200,000 in real terms.
Over the period 2011-2015, NHS Highland’s draft budget is predicted to rise in real terms, overall by less than 1 per cent ( £4.3 million)
Commenting on the figures, Highlands and Islands MSP, Rhoda Grant said,
" Alex Salmond’s pledge that his Scottish Government would protect the NHS in the Highlands has been broken already in this coming financial year by these forecast figures.
" The anticipated small increase in NHS Highland’s draft budget over the next four years will occur alongside the estimated £319 million reduction in real terms spending across the NHS in Scotland over the next four years.
" Just now RCN Scotland are reporting that their nursing members are " at breaking point"
"BMA Scotland said that the unprecedented reductions in budgets could jeopardise the scope and the quality of the services provided."
Mrs. Grant added that it was important to put the forecast less than 1 per cent increase in budget over the next 4 years in its context , as increases in annual health service costs were running at around 4 per cent.
Mrs. Grant concluded,
"The SNP’s priorities for the Highlands are the referendum on independence, its wording, and the number of questions to be asked .
"Labour’s priorities for the Highlands remain the NHS, education and jobs."
Details of the draft budget will be finalised early next year.
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