24 February 2011
Highlands and Islands Labour MSP Rhoda Grant has raised concerns about how capital funding is allocated to NHS Highland after it emerged that a £24.8 million project to provide a new day services centre and refurbishment of the renal unit at Raigmore Hospital has now collapsed.
This is despite the centre having been planned for the past several years which would have eased pressure on the existing surgical department.
In her letter to Health Minister Nicola Sturgeon she said:
“As you know the health board had banked £20 million to fund this project and I have since learned that some of this banked capital has been given back by the Scottish Government to support dental services on the Isle of Skye and Oban.
“Clearly whilst extra funding for the dental sector is to be welcomed, at the same time I am somewhat anxious to know on what basis this funding was allocated and why prioritisation was given to dentist facilities over that of the plans for Raigmore.
“It would also be helpful to know if Scottish Government capital spending to NHS Boards is ring fenced to the projects for which they are allocated.
“I would also be grateful to know how these priorities were set.
“Was this a decision made by NHS Highland and if so, did they involve clinical staff and their public participation forum when setting these priorities?
“Is there any opportunity for NHS Highland to change these priorities?
“I would also be grateful to know what assurances you have received that the board will meet its day case surgery targets.”
