Extra cash and reforms for NHS Fife

The 29% funding boost includes cash for social care.

Announced by Shona Robison, Health Secretary, the additional support takes NHS Fife’s overall funding to £621.8 million.

The pot include an additional £8.5m to bring the board within 1% of parity under the NHS funding formula, known as NRAC.

It also includes £6.7m for investment in social care to be used by local health and social care partnerships to ensure people have the right care, in the right place, at the right time.

NHS Fife will also get a share of £128 million to help support delivery of service reform. This extra funding will support the redesign of services so the NHS can meet the challenges of an ageing population.

Ms Robison said: “This settlement represents a substantial additional investment in health services for the people of Fife.’’

But she also signalled that the conditions included a need for change.

“I am also clear that this investment must be accompanied with service reform,’’ she said.

‘‘We recognise that our growing elderly population means that we need to shift the focus of care towards the community, and that is what we’ll continue to do.

“It is nearly one year since we integrated health and social care across Scotland. This reform will enable us to support more people to remain independent for as long as possible, and receive care in the community rather than in hospital.

“Over the coming months we will be working with all health boards to help them develop sustainable financial plans for this year and beyond. ‘‘