NHS Highland is seeking a £15million bail-out from the Scottish Government to plug a massive budget overspend.
It is the second time the health authority has sought assistance to help fill a financial black hole.
Scottish Labour’s shadow health minister, and Highlands and Islands MSP, David Stewart last night insisted NHS Highland should be “given a helping hand” as it was Government cutbacks leaving them in the red.
He said: “The board is under severe pressure from many quarters and needs more investment in rural health services, not be faced with more budget areas to slash.
“For NHS Highland to go cap-in-hand to the Government twice only highlights the great strain the service is under.
“It is obvious that the cutbacks required by the Scottish Government are just too much for the health authority to bear, and I think NHS Highland should be given a helping hand.”
The bleak financial position of NHS Highland is revealed in a report to be presented to the authority’s board members next week.
Interim director of finance David Garden said: “The NHS Highland revenue position as at February highlights an overspend on budgets of £14.2m for the first eleven months of the year.
“At present, there is the potential of year end projection of £14.8m overspend against budget with continued efforts to reduce this.
“The main element is potential failure to deliver savings of £12.2m with the remainder being cost pressures across the operational units, particularly within adult social care budgets.”
He revealed talks were now under with Scottish Government officials in a bid to wipe out the current overspend with a grant.
Mr Garden said: “The financial position has been discussed in detail with Scottish Government colleagues and, for 2017/18, a request of brokerage up to £15m has been requested and confirmation is awaited.”
A Scottish Government spokesman said: “Over the last five years NHS Highland’s budget has gone up by over £90 million, an increase of over 18%, to £586.9 million.
“We have received a £15 million brokerage request from NHS Highland and will be considering this, along with the wider plan to return to financial stability, in detail.
“The overriding priority is to ensure patients continue to receive first-class care, and we will confirm brokerage arrangements with the board by the end of this month.”
