Extra winter funding for NHS boards

An extra £5 million is being given to NHS boards to support winter resilience across the country.

Health Secretary Shona Robison announced the‎ funding to help winter planning and enhance resilience across health and social care services.

It’ll go towards making sure patients are seen quickly, efficiently and without delay.

The money will also be used to maximise extra staff to help with weekend discharges in the face of an estimated rise in attendances during the busy winter months.

This extra winter funding builds on the £9 million‎ invested in improving A&E performance, and £50 million support to improve waiting times performance.

Speaking during a visit to The Hub at the Queen Victoria Hospital in Kirkcaldy, a specialist unit to help patients with complex needs get discharged quickly and easily, Health Secretary Shona Robison said: “We are working hard to ensure our NHS is as prepared as it can be for the extra demands on services over the winter, which is why we are working closely with health and social care services to ensure they have the right plans in place.

“Scotland is well-prepared to head in to winter. We have the best A&E performance anywhere in the UK. However there is no room for complacency and this additional £5 million funding will give an extra boost to health boards’ and their partners’ winter planning.

“We’ll also continue to provide national support to our hospitals in implementing best practice across the country, so that all patients get the same excellent NHS care no matter where they live or the time of year.”

Director of Fife’s Health and Social Care Partnership, Michael Kellet, added: “Staff in the Health and Social Care Partnership and NHS Fife are working hard together to do all we can support the public over the winter. We’ve invested in innovative models of care to keep people living safe and well at home, but if they do need hospital care we work with them so they can get back home again as soon as possible. As part our winter campaign in Fife we’ll be encouraging the public to get prepared, protect themselves against colds and flu and help them understand where they should best get support if they need it.”

NHS Fife Chair, Tricia Marwick, said: “Winter puts particular pressures on the NHS. Patients admitted at this time of year tend to stay in hospital for longer and NHS staff are continually looking at ways to ensure more of our patients receive the right care at the right time and by the right professional – whether this is out in the community or in a hospital setting. Our winter planning helps ensure we continue to be able to do this during busier periods.

“The public can also help out and they have a big part to play in helping our hospitals run smoothly over winter. There are Minor Injuries Services across Fife equipped to deal with injuries such as cuts, wounds, burns, strains and sprains, and we urge people to use these services instead of putting additional pressure on our Emergency Department.