Draft health board settlement ‘fair’, according to NHS chief
NHS Shetland’s provisional financial allocation for the next year from the Scottish Government is “fair and proportionate”, according to the health board’s chief executive.
The Scottish Government’s draft budget, published on Thursday, showed that NHS Shetland is in line to be given £53.9 million in 2020/21 for its core funding.
This is an increase of £1.6 million on the previous year – an uplift of three per cent.
NHS Shetland chief executive Michael Dickson, who started in the role earlier this year, welcomed the provisional figure.
“We know NHS Scotland have been working extremely hard to secure the best possible settlement for all of the regional boards and what has been outlined is fair and proportionate,” he said.
The Scottish budget is set to be passed in early March, but the SNP government requires the support of opposition MSPs for it to be approved.
NHS Shetland has struggled with rising costs in recent years and Dickson said these issues will remain in 2020/21.
However, he suggested looking to staff within the health board – as well as working in partnership with others – is the way forward.
“2020/21 will of course remain a challenge but one I am confident we can meet by harnessing the ideas and talents of our staff and working with our integrated partners to deliver Shetland focused sustainable services,” Dickson said.
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