Above inflation rise for NHS Dumfries and Galloway welcomed by MSP

 

The rise was revealed in figures obtained by the MSP from Scottish Government. They show the NHS Dumfries and Galloway resource budget rising 5.1% to £279.4 million in 2016/17. Under the SNP the budget has risen by a total of £73 million since 2007.

 

This has resulted in an increased number of staff, numbers of which are up by 6.5%.  Dumfries and Galloway is also getting a new hospital, an investment of £256 million that builds on previous new build projects including the Midpark Hospital and the Dumfries North West Primary Care Sector.

 

Commenting on the figures Ms McAlpine said:

 

“This rise is good news for Dumfries and Galloway and reflects the fact that health spending in Scotland is protected by the SNP – it rises in real terms in line with inflation.  This is a considerable achievement at a time when the Scottish Government’s overall budget will have fallen in real terms by 12.5% over the years of Tory government – or by £3.6 billion from 2010 to 2020.

 

“Overall under the SNP government NHS Dumfries and Galloway staff has risen from 3,310.2 to 3,524.8.  We would love to do even more, and we are working on increasing the number of GPs in training and to encouraging more into general practice in Scotland. 

 

“This is in sharp contrast to the situation in England and Wales. In England junior doctors are treated with contempt by the Conservative Government – so much so that many of them are looking seriously at re-locating to Scotland.  Meanwhile in Wales, where the Labour Government has refused to protect health spending against inflation, waiting lists are going up and the NHS is struggling.”

 

The budget for NHS Scotland will be confirmed in the Scottish Government’s budget due to be passed this week.

 

Scottish Government figures show that NHS Dumfries and Galloway has benefitted from the following:

 

FUNDING (DRAFT BUDGET)

            Under the SNP, the Board’s resource budget will increase by £72.0 million from £207.4m to £279.4m; a cumulative cash increase of 34.7% and a cumulative real terms increase of £24.1 million (9.6%) (2006/07 to 20016/17).

            In 2016/17 the Board’s resource budget will increase by 5.1% to £279.4 million (Draft Budget), an above inflation increase, having previously increased by 2.4% in 2015 16.

            An additional £7.6 million will be allocated to the Board for Social Care (Draft Budget).

 

 

WORKFORCE UNDER THE SNP (Sept 2006 to Sept 2015)

            All staff up 6.5% or 214.6 WTE (from 3,310.2 to 3,524.8).

            Medical and Dental Consultants (inc. all Consultant Grade Directors) up 23.0% or 20.5 WTE (from 89.0 to 109.6).

            Emergency Medicine Consultants up 307.5% or 3.1 WTE (from 1.0 to 4.1).

            Qualified Nurses and Midwives (inc. interns) up 4.7% or 54.8 WTE (from 1,167.1 to 1,221.8).

            Allied Health Professions (excl. Paramedics) up 15.8% or 35.3 WTE (from 222.8 to 258.1).

 

INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS

Completed since May 2011

            £27m public capital – Acute Mental Health development, Dumfries (2011)

            £6m public capital – North West Dumfries Primary Care Centre (2012)

In progress (announced since May 2011)

            £256m NPD – new acute hospital (DGRI replacement), due autumn/winter 2017.