Funding confirmed for health boards

9th February 2015

Increase of £282 million.

Health Secretary, Shona Robison, has confirmed that health boards in Scotland are to receive an additional £282 million in 2015-16.

Territorial health boards have been given a general allocation increase of 3.4 per cent on 2014-15, bringing the total allocation to boards to more than £8.5 billion.

In addition to this, the Government's announcement of £30 million in 2015-16 to tackle delays in discharging patients from hospital will be added to boards' budgets, bringing the total uplift to 3.8 per cent.

Ms Robison said:"The Scottish Government's commitment to increasing health boards' budgets demonstrates our continuing investment in frontline health spending.

"This comes as Scotland's total health spending reaches more than £12 billion for the first time ever.

"We’re clear that all patients in Scotland should be treated as quickly and as effectively as possible, with the right care, in the right place, at the right time. With this increase in funding, health boards are being given more support to achieve this.

"We know there is still pressures on the NHS and this Government is acting to deliver record funding and robust policies needed to support the hardworking and dedicated staff of our NHS.

"Tackling delayed discharge is an absolute key priority for this government and the £30 million for 2015-16, which forms part of a £100 million investment over the next three years, is crucial to this effort.

“Reducing delayed discharge not only helps individual patients, who benefit from getting home or to a homely setting as quickly as possible, but also helps ease pressure across the system.

“As we head towards the integration of health and social care this additional funding will also support work underway to transform care services which will get people who may be unnecessarily staying in hospital home or into a homely setting."

The remaining funds included as part of the £383 million uplift announced by Mr Swinney will be allocated throughout 2015/16 to support specific commitments across the year around frontline areas like health performance and integration support.