Scottish NHS boards 'may not balance books'

Audit Scotland has warned that some Scottish NHS boards may not be able to balance their books this year.

With the service facing increasing costs, staffing pressures and unprecedented savings targets, Audit Scotland revealed that NHS boards are finding it difficult to balance demand for hospital care with investing in community-based services to meet future need.

The annual review of the financial health and performance of the NHS in Scotland recognises there have been improvements over time, but highlighted how NHS Scotland failed to meet seven out of eight key performance targets last year.

The report also highlighted significant challenges in the shape of: increasing spending on drugs; unprecedented levels of savings expected in 2016/17; an ageing NHS workforce and difficulties in recruiting and retaining staff in some areas; increasing spending by boards on temporary staff; and a lack of workforce planning for new models of care to deliver more community-based services.

Caroline Gardner, Auditor General for Scotland, said: "Major challenges lie ahead for the NHS in Scotland. There are growing pressures on health boards which are struggling to juggle service delivery and progressing major reform whilst also managing considerable financial challenges.

"The Scottish government has had a policy to shift the balance of care for over a decade but despite multiple strategies for reform, NHS funding has not changed course. Before that shift can occur, there needs to be a clear and detailed plan for change, setting out what the future of the NHS looks like, what it will cost to deliver and the workforce numbers and skills needed to make it a reality."