NHS Grampian to ditch free nappies and cut appointments in bid to save £23m
NHS Grampian has announced plans to ditch free nappies for newborns and cut the number of public holiday appointments in a bid to save £23m.
However the health board has warned the financial recovery plan will leave it 'no flexibility' to any increased costs this year.
The health board submitted a plan to the Scottish Government at the end of May which identified £23m of savings.
NHS Grampian previously warned it expected an overspend of around £68m this year.
However, it was told by the Scottish Government that it could not exceed a deficit of £45m for this financial year.
The health board was told to produce a plan to find the savings required by June 7.
Now, in papers to go before the board on Thursday, it has warned the savings will mean the health board will struggle if other costs increase.
The papers say: 'There are a number of risks associated with the financial recovery plan for 2025/26 which would leave NHS Grampian with no flexibility to manage any in year cost pressures that arise.'
The Scottish Government previously increased oversight of NHS Grampian, increasing it to stage four out of five of NHS Scotland's National Performance Framework.
The Scottish Government has already loaned NHS Grampian around £90m to help it break-even in recent years.
NHS Grampian's overspend last year was around £65m, the largest in value terms of any health board in the country, and fifth in percentage terms.
Government officials previously said they were 'concerned' about its financial position.
The proposed savings include cutting some appointments and services on public holidays, changing the type of vascular stent used for some patients and the ending of providing disposable nappies to 'well babies' born at maternity units.
The health board also said its financial situation had been improving, allowing it to find additional money, including through the budgets of Integrated Joint Boards.
NHS Grampian though says it can't rule out some patients will be impacted by the savings.
In the papers, it says: 'However, it should be noted that mitigations are not possible is all cases and a number of patient groups/people with protected characteristics would be directly affected by the proposed savings.'
A so-called 'external diagnostic review' is also being carried out at the health board by the accounting firm KPMG.
The review is to identify if further savings can be found and is expected to be complete by the end of June.
A Scottish Government spokesperson previously said: 'The Scottish Government continues to support NHS Grampian Board to develop a Financial Recovery Plan in line with the timeframe agreed.'
Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News
Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
STV News
13 hours ago
- STV News
Women's Aid group demand 'ring-fenced funding' after announcing closure
A Clydebank Women's Aid group has demanded that national ring-fenced funding be made available after the service announced its closure. The West Dunbartonshire service announced it was shutting with the 'heaviest of hearts' on June 4. The charity, which has operated for more than 40 years, revealed the decision was made due to financial restraints. In a statement on social media, the organisation said it had 'worked relentlessly' to help women, children, and young people in their time of need. Clydebank Women's Aid hope their closure can act as a catalyst for similar services to receive the funding they need throughout Scotland. The statement read: 'Women, children and young people in Clydebank deserve fully funded, specialist Women's Aid services that recognise the scale and impact of domestic abuse has on their lives. 'They deserve consistent support – not services struggling to survive on insecure funding. No woman should be left without support because a vital service couldn't afford to continue. Sustainable investment isn't optional – it's a necessity. 'This is a call to action: for sustainable, ring-fenced funding for Women's Aid groups across the country, for recognition of the scale and impact of domestic abuse, and for the right of every woman, child, and young person to live free from fear of violence and abuse. 'Our intention is that our phone lines will remain open until July 17 where women can access crisis support and information on their options. We are in the process of creating a document that will signpost women to other agencies depending on their situation 'The closure of Clydebank Women's Aid marks the end of an era. We want to take the opportunity to thank workers, both past and present, and other agencies who have supported the work of Clydebank Women's Aid. 'To the women, children and young people who have accessed our service, thank you for trusting us and allowing us the opportunity to support you.' The closure comes after a new study from the University of Glasgow found that women who experience domestic violence are at higher risk of traumatic brain injury and mental health conditions almost 30 years after escaping their abusers. The Scottish Government says it has been left saddened by the charity's decision to close and understands the impact of 'uncertainty' surrounding funding can have. However, they state that a record level of financial support has been made available for the services, and further investment is due over the next year. A Scottish Government spokesperson said: 'It was with sadness that Ministers noted the closure of Clydebank Women's Aid, which has served its community since 1981. 'Record levels of funding have been invested in organisations that provide these vital support services to victims of domestic abuse. 'We have announced an uplift of £2.4m to the Delivering Equally Safe Fund, bringing our total investment for 2025/26 up to £21.6m for the year ahead. 'While the Scottish Government only receiving single-year funding makes multi-year funding challenging, we recognise the impact that uncertainty can have on organisations to deliver critical services.' Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
Daily Record
16 hours ago
- Daily Record
Rutherglen MSP welcomes £6.6 million of funding to reduce waiting times in Lanarkshire
This investment is part of the Scottish Government's £200 million commitment in the Programme for Government to increase NHS capacity, reduce delayed discharge, and improve the flow of patients through hospitals. Rutherglen MSP Clare Haughey has welcomed the Scottish Government's announcement of £6.6 million of targeted funding to reduce waiting times in Lanarkshire, as part of £106 million new investment across NHS Scotland. This investment is part of the Scottish Government's £200 million commitment in the Programme for Government to increase NHS capacity, reduce delayed discharge, and improve the flow of patients through hospitals. Ms Haughey said: 'This is another clear example of our SNP Government delivering for our NHS, with real action to cut waiting times and get patients in South Lanarkshire the care they need faster. 'By focusing funding where it's needed most, like orthopaedics, cancer, and diagnostics, we're helping tackle the longest delays head-on. 'This will mean quicker, diagnoses, more procedures, and better outcomes for people in South Lanarkshire. 'South Lanarkshire communities deserve timely access to care, and this SNP Government is making the investment to deliver that. While we know some people have to wait too long for treatment, the SNP is getting on with the job of driving improvements for patients.' *Don't miss the latest headlines from around Lanarkshire. Sign up to our newsletters here.
Scotsman
18 hours ago
- Scotsman
Scotland's Health Awards 2025: Nominations open as Health Secretary Neil Gray urges 'do it today'
Health Secretary Neil Gray is encouraging everyone to nominate those who have gone above and beyond in health and social care. Sign up to our daily newsletter – Regular news stories and round-ups from around Scotland direct to your inbox Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... 'If you know someone who has done something special to go above and beyond, put in a nomination.' Those words are the simple, yet compelling message from Health Secretary Neil Gray as he officially launches this year's Scotland's Health Awards 2025, sponsored by The Scotsman. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Caroline Lamb, chief executive of NHS Scotland and director-general health and social care, and Health Secretary Neil Gray at the launch of The Scotsman Health Awards 2025, which will be held in the Edinburgh Corn Exchange in November. | Lisa Ferguson The Scotsman is hosting this year's awards, which celebrate the extraordinary achievements of individuals and teams who go above and beyond to deliver compassionate, high-quality health and social care to the people of Scotland. There are 17 awards up for grabs, all aiming to recognise frontline health and social care workers and celebrate those who work hard behind the scenes to make sure patients across the country get the highest level of care possible. The Scotsman spoke to the health secretary as nominations officially open to hear just how important Scotland's Health Awards are. 'I'm delighted to announce the launch of Scotland's Health Awards 2025,' Mr Gray said. 'These awards offer the opportunity to not only acknowledge all of our fantastic colleagues who work tirelessly day in, day out across our health and care services, they give us the chance to show what their extraordinary achievements mean to each and every individual in Scotland. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'I've witnessed first-hand the incredible work that goes on across our health and care settings. That's why I'm so pleased that these awards recognise frontline health and social care workers and also celebrate those who work so hard in support roles to ensure our services achieve the highest quality of care and patient experience. 'We're still experiencing a challenging time across our health system, but with a clear focus on reform and renewal, it's more important than ever to express our appreciation and showcase how amazing our workforce is in continuing to improve people's lives, often under enormous pressure. 'Please take the time to nominate and say thank you on behalf of all of us.' Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The awards ceremony and gala dinner will be held at the Edinburgh Corn Exchange on Thursday, November 6, but nominations are now officially open. Scotland's Health Awards 2025 is open for nominations | The Scotsman This year's categories, along with two brand new awards, include care for mental health, as well as awards for the doctor, nurse, support worker, top team, volunteers, young achiever, Allied Health Professional, midwife and leader of the year. Mr Gray is encouraging everyone to get involved and nominate anyone who they think deserves some extra recognition for their work in the health and social care sector, stressing 'the NHS is all about people'. When asked what people should do if they are thinking about nominating someone, Mr Gray said: 'Do it, do it today - don't put it off. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'I've found at these events previously just being nominated, having that form of recognition from your peers or from members of the public, is incredibly important to them. 'Getting to the final shortlist and being at the awards, as well as winning, is an incredibly special moment. These people don't seek that level of recognition, they don't chase it, but that is what is so powerful. 'If anyone knows someone who has done something special to go above and beyond, put in a nomination.' Nominations close on Sunday, August 17, but readers will have until October to vote on this year's Readers' Choice Award, which is hand-selected by the public themselves. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Mr Gray described awarding the unsung hero honour, nominated by readers themselves, was one of the most special moments of the awards night. He said: 'This is for someone who is an incredible hero, someone who goes under the radar and doesn't seek the limelight and doesn't seek to get recognition, but is someone who is an absolute central part of delivering services. 'It is critical we recognise them.' Readers will have the chance to nominate for the unsung hero award | Adobe Last year's unsung hero was Michael Kidd, a paramedic with the Scottish Ambulance Service at NHS Ayrshire and Arran. He drove the fundraising efforts to create an interactive sensory room at Monkton Primary School, as well as Aoife's Sensory Bus, a specialist service named in honour of his daughter who died aged six in 2019 from a brain tumour. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Speaking last year, Mr Kidd said: 'Because it helped Aoife so much, we set up a fundraising campaign to help children like her and have now raised enough money for a second bus. 'It's wonderful to see the campaign take off and make an impact, and that good can come out of something so devastating.' The Scotsman's editor Alan Young said he was delighted to be hosting this year's awards, in partnership with NHS Scotland and the Scottish Government. He said: 'Every day, people across Scotland experience the remarkable care and compassion of those working in the health and social care sector. It would be too easy to take those high standards for granted, which is why events like this matter - we are able to acknowledge the exceptional, and celebrate the people who deliver. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'Our experience of health and social care is usually with the brilliant staff on the front line, but these awards also offer a chance to recognise those behind the scenes - the leaders, managers and others who make less heralded, but important, contributions.' The awards ceremony and gala dinner will be hosted by television presenter Grant Stott. The Royal College of Midwives, the Royal College of Nursing, GCU (School of Health and Life Sciences), and Alpha Solway: Skytech are all sponsoring individual awards. Nominations are now open and can be submitted online at Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad
