Health board make cuts to avoid £ 4 million loss 8/4/10
Cash-
The Scottish Government is examining its financial plan with proposals on budget cuts to prevent this year’s draft overspend.
The isles' health body also needs to tackle an estimated underlying loss of £1.2 million from the past.
Details where the axe will fall to make the extra savings will be reported to the
board in three weeks though final Scottish Government approval to the cutbacks will
not be until mid-
The board is receiving nearly £69 million to run the islands’ health services for the next 12 months. But its initial draft budget puts its spending plans at almost £73 million.
A raft of cutbacks and savings has been earmarked which includes slashing £3 million
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A further £1 million still needs to be found to stop the board from making a loss this year.
On top of that, the body is already lumbered with repaying a £ 3 million loan granted by Scottish Government for a burden of heavy losses in past years.
According to its latest financial plan, the board hopes, overall, some £600,000 could be saved by freezing vacancies, a further £591,000 from 2% efficiencies in vacancies and £100,000 from its discretionary staff policy which includes special leave.
Cancelling its £100,000 annual subsidy to the council-
It hopes more efficient ways of delivering a health service will save £200,000 from GP prescribing, £50,000 from palliative care, £45,000 from the community nursing workforce as well as £40,000 from the community care service shared with Western Isles Council,
Less nurses and personnel will be needed if a programme of ward closures and cutting down on beds goes ahead in the Western Isles Hospital.
An “acute bed utilisation” review by the Nursing Director could save £200,000 and means an “overall reduction in the number of wards and beds will result from this with consequent staff savings.”
In addition, it would take an additional sum of £27,000 from the acute bed workforce budget. Surplus staff would be sent to cover in combined wards to avoid paying for expensive bank or temporary staff cover.
On top of that the nursing service is asked to find a further £661,000 of budget cuts while the medical director is to look for £484,000 of additional savings. Some £99,000 has to be cut from the public health costs.
Nurses and doctors will have to pay more for their subsidised accommodation while those who were getting free rent will have to fork out a realistic sum.
Subsidised meals may also be wiped out with higher charges for hospital catering.
The health board is offering to wash Western Isles Council’s dirty laundry and hopes to generate £25,000 by opening up its service.
It also plans to save £100,000 from long term treatment of island patients on th emainland as well as saving £108,000 on purchasing goods and services.
The board must find £1.18 million savings in order to fulfil the Scottish Government’s demand for 2% efficiencies though it is allowed to reinvest the cash.
A health board spokesperson said that, “£3.1 million has been identified to reduce the funding gap.
“Senior managers are currently working with Finance colleagues to identify the remaining £1.2 million.
“Details of identified savings will be presented to the Board on 30th April.”