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Budget sees real term increase for NHS 

Spending on Scotland’s health service will increase in real terms next year, taking Scottish health spending above £12 billion for the first time.

The overall increase of £256 million in health resource spending – exceeding the Barnett consequentials - announced by Finance Secretary John Swinney in yesterday’s Budget statement, will see a 2.2 per cent increase on frontline NHS resource spending. Additional Capital funding will take the overall increase to £288m in 2015-16, bringing the total health budget to £12.16 billion.

The Scottish Government’s commitment to increase the NHS budget demonstrates a continuing commitment to protecting the health service, and keep it in public hands, said Health Secretary Alex Neil.

Resources allocated to territorial NHS boards, those who deliver direct patient care, will increase by 2.7 per cent. This is an above real terms increase, and represents the sixth above-inflation increase in a row. Every territorial board will see their budgets increased.

A further £53.5 million will be invested in Primary Care Services to promote greater integration of health and social care, a key part of the government’s vision for the future of the health service.

Capital investment includes £157 million in NHS buildings and equipment, £22.8 million to complete the £842 million New South Glasgow Hospitals project, and £5.8 million for radiotherapy equipment. The new Lanarkshire Beatson cancer unit will be completed with a further £11.6 million.

There will be £29 million of direct funding in the Non-Profit Distributing (NPD) and hub models of investment in new infrastructure projects. The notional capital equivalent value of NPD investment in 2015-16 is £265 million and for hub is £115 million.

The Scottish Government’s commitment to pay all NHS workers at least the living wage has been maintained, along with the planned pay rise to nurses and other staff who are part of the Agenda for Change contract.

Health Secretary Alex Neil said:

“Protecting front-line health services is an absolute priority of this government, and that’s why we have not only protected the NHS budget but increased it.

“This budget demonstrates that we are determined to keep the NHS in public hands and totally reject the drive towards privatisation being forced on NHS England by Westminster. It shows that we are determined to reward our hard-working NHS staff, with a modest pay rise and a living wage guarantee, both of which the UK Government are not delivering south of the Border.

“Funding for new buildings, like the outstanding South Glasgow Hospital campus, and new equipment means we will continue to have an NHS that is fit for purpose.

“I am proud that we are investing more in the integration of health and social care. This the right thing to do as our health service faces the challenges of the future and is evolving to meet the changing needs of the people of Scotland