Is NHS Scotland facing a financial crisis?
A health board that has already received a £23m bail-out from the Scottish Government has warned that it will probably need to borrow millions more soon.
John Burns, chief executive of NHS Ayrshire and Arran, told the Scottish Parliament’s Health and Sport Committee that the health board was not likely to balance its books until 2021, and would need additional brokerage (money lent by the Scottish Government to allow boards to break even) over the next two years.
Mr Burns blamed an increase in demand for unscheduled care and expensive locum bills to cover consultant vacancies for the financial problems.
Other health boards, including NHS Tayside and Highland have also required brokerage.
Further information
Scottish Parliament: Health and Sport Committee official report