NHS Grampian is considering a bid for more than £56 million of Scottish Government cash to improve “high priority” health services across the region.
The health board will meet today to discuss a proposed application for funding from a £200 million Holyrood pot, created to “future-proof” health facilities throughout Scotland against new challenges posed by an “ageing and growing” population.
It is hoped the cash could be invested in a variety of ways, including better CT and MRI scanning facilities, improved care at Dr Gray’s Hospital in Elgin, and the creation of more “modern and fit for purpose” outpatient facilities.
In a report which will go before board members this afternoon, NHS Grampian outlines early plans for how the cash would be spent throughout Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire and Moray in priority clinical areas such as dermatology, urology, radiology, endoscopy and primary care.
According to the papers, the board needs the £56.3 million cash injection in elective care to address the issues created by a changing population.
The report states: “Our population, like the rest of Scotland, is ageing and growing.
“These changes are gradual and have been occurring for some time.
“Since 2011, the Grampian population has risen by 3.3% – an increase of 15,590 people. This increase is biased towards middle age and older adults, where population groups between 65 and 74, and over 75 years of age, have grown by 18% and 7% respectively.
“Clearly this has had an impact on health and social care needs, particularly for conditions associated with ageing.
“In the past six years, many specialities have seen rises in demand for care in excess of the average population increase and this will be magnified over the next decade.”
The NHS Grampian report said some of the changes could increase costs.
It adds: “The proposal will create new, and reconfigure existing, facilities which will also provide an opportunity to deliver services differently and implement better ways of working.
“Some of these service changes will deliver efficiencies, however overall operating costs will rise partly as a consequence of increased staffing levels necessary to operate within the enhanced facilities.”
The report shows construction of new projects could commence in 2020.
A Scottish Government spokesman said: “We are committed to ensure patients have access to elective care and this £200 million investment to develop five centres across Scotland will continue to improve the quality of care for patients.
“One of the new centres will be in Aberdeen and we are working closely with NHS Grampian as their proposal develops.”
