NHS Fife breaks even, but ‘cannot take foot off the pedal’ on finances
NHS Fife managed to reach a “break-even” position at the end of the financial year but work is to continue to ensure the books can be balanced in the coming years.
Board members were given an update on the current financial position this week as savings coming in at nearly £23million were made, which was 80 per cent of the total planned target.
The savings plan included key themes across workforce, infrastructure and estates as well as clinical service redesign, business and digital transformation, and procurement.
The report said while they fell marginally short of the Scottish Government’s three per cent planned savings target, delivery was “significantly impacted” by sustained operational pressures during the winter period.
Susan Dunsmuir, director of finance, said: “Throughout the financial year, concerted action was taken to reduce costs and maximise the utilisation of all available funding sources.
“These actions were undertaken with the clear objective of achieving a year‑end financial position within the parameters set at the start of the year and approved by both the board and the Scottish Government.”
Ms Dunsmuir told board members: “This position has been achieved despite significant financial pressures within the wider health and social care system.
“Where we have landed is not quite where we thought we were in the original financial plan. It does demonstrate that continuing challenge of financial balance and sustainability as we move into the future. I note the continuing challenge we face as we move into 2026/27.”
Pat Kilpatrick,board chair, paid tribute to all involved in achieving the current position, but added: “We cannot take our foot off the pedal here and that is why it links back to the improvement process and redesign.
“We have to make sure every health care pound that comes into Fife is used to maximum effect. The demands are increasing all the time. It is a good place to be and we cannot afford not to keep going with it.”
Board vice chairperson, Alistair Morris added: “We are not over the hill yet – we are up the hill but we still have got a way to go.
“We have just got to keep doing it. It must be so wearing on everyone constantly operating under that pressure but there is no alternative to do it. We are not alone in that position.
“We are starting to get a bit of a track record in being able to deliver. It is just getting the energy, vision and consistency to keep at it and get the results we need to get.”