Written Question · S2W-21826 · Session 2
Further to the statement by the Minister for Health and Community Care in the debate on future arrangements for health services in the Argy…
The question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the statement by the Minister for Health and Community Care in the debate on future arrangements for health services in the Argyll and Clyde area that “the key requirement now is for the outgoing board and the two successor boards to work closely together to agree realistic financial plans for 2006-07 and 2007-08 that will secure the return to financial stability, which we need. We are prepared to consider the case for transitional financial assistance only once that planning task has been demonstrated to be complete and robust.” (Official Report c. 21623), whether these plans have to be submitted by a certain date or deadline and, if so, what that date is and whether the plans will be made public; how the additional funding of £80 million to write off the accumulated deficit of NHS Argyll and Clyde was calculated, and whether the Minister for Health and Community Care will make a statement to the Parliament once the reports have been received, where MSPs will have the opportunity of asking questions.
The answer
NHS Argyll and Clyde, in line with all NHS boards, is expected to agree a local delivery plan (LDP), including a five year strategic financial plan, with the Health Department by the end of March 2006. The plan will be allocated between the two successor boards, NHS Greater Glasgow and Highland, and both boards will be required to approve the plan with NHS Argyll and Clyde. Given that LDP’s are approved by NHS boards, they will be made available publicly.
With regard to the calculation of the £80 million funding, I can confirm that this was based on NHS Argyll and Clyde’s revised financial plan as submitted by the board in July 2005. The plan demonstrated a maximum accumulated deficit of £80 million (for financial year 2006-07) with the board returning to in-year financial balance thereafter. The sum was therefore expected to cover all deficits incurred by the board and provide a clean slate to the successor boards.
I do not propose making a statement to Parliament regarding local delivery plans.
With regard to the calculation of the £80 million funding, I can confirm that this was based on NHS Argyll and Clyde’s revised financial plan as submitted by the board in July 2005. The plan demonstrated a maximum accumulated deficit of £80 million (for financial year 2006-07) with the board returning to in-year financial balance thereafter. The sum was therefore expected to cover all deficits incurred by the board and provide a clean slate to the successor boards.
I do not propose making a statement to Parliament regarding local delivery plans.
In the Official Report
No contribution in the Official Report cites S2W-21826 by reference.