For immediate release

RUTHERGLEN MSP WELCOMES ADDITIONAL WINTER CASH FOR NHS

NHS Lanarkshire is to benefit from an additional £1.16 million of funding from the Scottish Government to help cope with added pressures over the winter months as part of an additional £10 million being allocated across all Scottish Health Boards.

Provided earlier than ever before, the funding, which comes on top of the £9 million already allocated across all Health Boards to support unscheduled care all year round, will allow boards to put robust plans in place quickly.

The additional investment will support health and social care services to increase weekend discharges where patients are fit to go home. Traditionally, the weekend discharge rate is lower than during the week, leading to a backlog of delay going into a Monday morning.

It will also help boards with staff planning over the festive bank holidays, ensuring both admission and discharge rates can be maintained, with a focus on better use of community pharmacy and more support to direct people to the best service for them.

Welcoming the additional cash boost, Rutherglen MSP, Clare Haughey said:

“We know winter creates particular pressures on our health and social care system. It’s important that we are well prepared and that’s why we are allocating funding earlier than ever before.

“This investment will ensure boards can put appropriate plans in place to maintain performance levels and reduce delays, to make sure people are discharged in a timely way when it’s safe to do so, and that the right staff are in place throughout the system.

ENDS

Date published: 10th September 2018