Record investment in health

Investment and reform of the health service will be prioritised, Finance Secretary Derek Mackay confirmed in his Draft Scottish Budget.  

Mr Mackay visited the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Glasgow to meet NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde staff and students in the teaching and learning centre, where he took part in a teaching session on cardio-pulmonary resuscitation (CPR).

The health portfolio resource budget will increase by more than £400 million, taking it to a record high of over £13.1 billion.

Mr Mackay said:

“We want to continue to provide the best possible care to help people lead healthier lives, which is why we are prioritising investment in frontline services, with frontline health boards to receive additional funding of 3.7%.

“This will ensure continued investment in facilities and services, funding a new GP contract and increased investment in mental health, while also supporting key reforms such as major trauma centres.

“Of course, none of this happens without a dedicated workforce. Lifting the pay cap will benefit thousands of nurses and healthcare staff, guaranteeing a minimum increase of 3% for staff who earn up to £30,000 – rewarding and investing in hard-working public sector staff.

“The resource budget is now £360 million higher than if we had only delivered real terms increases since the last Scottish Parliament election. Our approach of investment and reform will deliver better care and health for the people of Scotland, helping meet the challenges of an ageing population and rising demand for health services.”

Background

Additional investment in reform of £175 million will take total additional funding for frontline NHS Boards to £354 million (3.7% increase) which amounts to a real terms increase of £208 million (2.2%).

The draft Budget also increases investment in GP service and primary care, in CAMHS and mental health, and in developing the health workforce, while also taking forward investments in key projects such as major trauma centres.

The health portfolio resource budget has increased by more than £4 billion – 44.5% – since 2006-07.

By the end of this current Parliament the health resource budget will increase by £2 billion and will support the government’s twin approach of investment and reform.