Fears NHS Ayrshire and Arran is at "breaking point" over funding

There are claims the NHS is at breaking point in Ayrshire and Arran, as it asks for help to bridge a funding gap of around £23m.

The health board's finance director has written to the Scottish Government seeking loan funding known as brokerage for 2017-18.

It follows reports that the board has failed to deliver its savings targets and blames spiraling drug costs, agency spending and a rise in emergency admissions for the massive deficit.

South Scotland MSP Colin Smyth said, “It is no secret that NHS Ayrshire and Arran were struggling to balance the books as a result of a failure of the SNP Government to properly fund our NHS.

“However, the news that the Health Board has now had to seek a loan from the Government shows the extent to which the NHS in Ayrshire and Arran is at breaking point.

“It won’t get rid of the deficit, but merely cover it up for a short period. There is no way that the local NHS will be able to tackle such a huge funding gap without impacting on patient care unless they receive more Government funding and that will be a huge worry for people across Ayrshire and Arran.”

“I have written to the Health Secretary Shona Robison calling for the Government to step in and not just to provide a short term fix but to properly fund our NHS."

Central Ayrshire SNP MP, Dr Philippa Whitford, is hitting back at the claims though. She says, “I’m sure this is disappointing because they have not had to do this before.

“It has to be kept in proportion though and the fact is this amount is just 2.8% of their overall budget.

“This has been necessary to ensure they do actually meet their aims of providing emergency care and I note that their four hour performance is almost back up to 90%.

“We do need to remember that funding patients in Scotland is higher than elsewhere – about £150 per head higher than in England.

“Ayrshire and Arran has often had a very high performance around A&E services but it has to be recognised that this has been the worst winter across the UK for literally decades.”

John Burns, chief executive of NHS Ayrshire and Arran said: "In light of increasing demand, NHS Ayrshire & Arran faces a very difficult financial position. However, we remain committed to delivering services to our population that are safe and effective.

"In working to address this financial challenge we will continue to review where we can make efficiencies across a wide range of our work including energy efficiency, procurement, and effective prescribing.

"We will also look to see what best practice we can learn from other Health Boards to challenge ourselves to ensure that the services we provide are best value."