NHS Grampian submits documents identifying £23m worth of savings to Scottish Government

NHS Grampian has said it has submitted documents ahead of a deadline in which it was to identify £23m worth of savings.

The health board has been trying to form a recovery plan after it was revealed it had been given a loan of £67m from the Scottish Government to balance the books last year.

In April, NHS Grampian said it had a projected overspend this year of around £68m

It said it would have a plan in place by June 7 to reduce that amount by £23m, so that its deficit was not more than £45m.

On Thursday, the health board confirmed to STV News that it has submitted documents to the Scottish Government, two days ahead of time.

The health board has been warning of its growing financial difficulties for some time.

The Scottish Government has recently increased its scrutiny over the health board, escalating NHS Grampian to stage four out of five on NHS Scotland’s National Performance Framework.

A Scottish Government spokesperson said: “Scottish Government continues to support NHS Grampian Board to develop a Financial Recovery Plan in line with the timeframe agreed.”