More bad news for the NHS in the Highlands

2nd September 2016

NHS Highland is facing £103 million in projected cuts in the next five years.

Highlands and Islands Labour MSP, David Stewart, released the figure today, following a week of revelations by Scottish Labour about the state of the health service in Scotland.

All the figures have come through Freedom of Information requests.

Analysis nationally has revealed that Scotland's health boards face more than £1billion worth of cuts by 2021.

"Although the health board has previously stressed that front-line services will not be affected, relentless cutbacks are bound to affect patient care," said Mr Stewart.

"Budget cuts will also pile on the pressure for our hard working and dedicated NHS staff.

“I know, from my case work, that there are groups working in the health sector across the region who have found their funds frozen or have been forced to shelve projects due to NHS Highland's difficult financial situation," explained Mr Stewart.

“The next five years are going to be difficult and patients should prepare themselves.”

He added the SNP Government should use the powers of the Scottish Parliament and invest in Scotland's Health Service.

“Rather than grandstand on grievance and try and drag us back to the arguments of the past, Nicola Sturgeon should be focusing on bread and butter issues like our NHS,” he said.