South Scotland MSP Colin Smyth has commented on the news from NHS Dumfries and Galloway Chief Executive, Jeff Ace about the serious funding deficit facing the health board.

Mr Ace said in a statement released on Monday that: “It is expected that our opening financial position in April 2024 will be a deficit of £35 million. Without any cost savings being made, this overspend could potentially rise to around £54 million at the end of March 2025 because of inflation, growing patient need and increasing costs involved in providing treatment and care. This is clearly unsustainable.

“A robust financial savings plan is required to address this situation, which comes on top of several consecutive years of what have already been challenging times for NHS Dumfries and Galloway.”

Responding to the news, Colin Smyth said: “While our situation can be seen replicated in health boards across Scotland, it is still hugely concerning for Dumfries and Galloway.

“Most people know that to make savings of this magnitude, services will suffer.

“With waiting lists sky rocketing, our A&E department overrun, and delayed discharge continuing to pose huge problems, there is an urgent need to ramp up activity, but our health service simply cannot cope.

“Services are at breaking point, staff are exhausted and demoralised, and patients are being put at risk – but while our NHS was buckling under pressure, the Scottish Government has done nothing.

“With Michael Matheson finally gone, the next Health Secretary must step up to the job and deal with the crisis in our NHS by tackling delayed discharge, supporting staff and delivering a real catch-up plan.”