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

The cash increase before inflation of just 1.7% in funding from the Government for NHS Ayrshire and Arran is below the Scottish average for all boards of 1.8%.

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 Ayrshire and Arran staff are coming under increasing pressure.

NHS Ayrshire and Arran had to make £25 million worth of savings last year with more savings need 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 Ayrshire and Arran. The local health board have already made substantial savings last year and will need to make even more this year- despite staff already working under immensely difficult conditions.”

“I hope other local MSPs make it clear that unless there are extra resources allocated for health and social care in the Ayrshire 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 the Ayrshire 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 

The latest figures for health inflation can be viewed here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/economic-assumptions-201617-to-202021/economic-assumptions-201617-to-202021

Last year NHS Ayrshire and Arran had to make £25 efficiency savings in order to balance the books: http://www.nhsaaa.net/media/2910/annualaccounts2016-17.pdf