New analysis of the Scottish Government’s draft Budget for the year ahead by South Scotland MSP Colin Smyth has revealed that NHS Dumfries and Galloway is set to be hit by a real terms cut in funding for the year ahead by the Government.

The cash increase before inflation of just 1.5% in funding from the Government for NHS Dumfries and Galloway is the lowest for any health board in Scotland.

The low increase fails to cover health inflation which currently runs at 2.3% and is estimated to be 2% next year and comes at a time NHS Dumfries and Galloway’s new Royal Infirmary was recently placed on “red status” forcing it to cancel a range of outpatient clinics to cope with demand. 

With many of the savings made during this financial year “non-recurring”, NHS Dumfries and Galloway have estimated that they will need to make savings of around £20m during 2018-19 just to balance the books.

Commenting on the budget, South Scotland MSP Colin Smyth said, “Our NHS staff really are performing heroics at the moment in dealing with demand so these figures are a real kick in the teeth for them. When you take into account health inflation, the budget will mean a real terms cut in funding for NHS Dumfries and Galloway. The local health board predict that they will need to make £20m of savings next year at a time they are battling growing demand.”

“I hope other local MSPs make it clear that unless there are extra resources allocated for health and social care in Dumfries and Galloway they will join with me in standing up for staff and patients in our region and oppose this budget. If they don’t then they will be responsible for cuts to patient care in Dumfries and Galloway at a time it’s clear that the local NHS is stretched to breaking point”.

Source: Scottish Government draft budget 2018-19 Page 58 – http://www.gov.scot/Resource/0052/00529171.pdf