NHS Highland board members will next week be asked to approve a wide range of saving plans, amid warnings that the current healthcare model is “not sustainable”.
A report released by the board reveals that NHS Highland is on track to break even after delivering savings worth £28 million for the most recent financial year.
But it is estimated that over the next three years NHS Highland will need to deliver cost reductions of around £100million, with around £47million in 2017/18 – around 7% of the annual budget.
Board members will be asked to approve a host of savings plans which have been identified for the current financial year when they meet in Inverness on Tuesday.
The report has been prepared by Deborah Jones, the board’s director of strategic commissioning, planning and performance,.
She will highlight that the initial strategic approach was first discussed at the board meeting held in March and has now been developed following meetings with various different agencies.
Chief executive for NHS Highland Elaine Mead said a “more of the same” approach is not sustainable.
She said: “The current models to deliver health and social care across our complex and changing environment in Highland are not sustainable. Meeting the needs of the population has become increasingly difficult and now requires changes to parts of the service to ensure sustainable and affordable models are in place for future generations.”
Ms Jones will set out savings for 2017/18 where some £32.34 million of efficiencies have now been identified split between: £13.91 million for Highland Health and Social Care Partnership; £6.5 million for Argyll & Bute Integration Joint Board; and £11.93 million for central and corporate services.
Savings still to be identified include £13.76 million for Highland Health and Social Care Partnership, plus £0.9 million for the Argyll & Bute IJB.
It is understood that the £0.9 million shortfall in the Argyll and Bute board’s health savings is likely to be identified by the end of May.
