That the Parliament notes with concern the reported escalation of NHS Dumfries and Galloway to stage three of the NHS Scotland Support and Intervention Framework, following confirmation of a significant budget deficit and a substantial savings requirement; considers that this escalation reflects ongoing financial instability, which risks undermining the delivery of essential health services across the region; understands that the NHS board is under pressure to make large-scale savings while maintaining patient care and service availability; notes what it sees as the particular challenges that rural NHS boards face, including reported workforce shortages, higher delivery costs and dispersed populations; believes that these challenges are not adequately addressed by the current NHS Resource Allocation Committee (NRAC) funding formula; calls on the Scottish Government to ensure full engagement with staff, patients and local communities in shaping solutions, and urges the Scottish Ministers to bring forward a clear timetable for reviewing and reforming the NRAC formula to ensure fairer funding for rural areas.
Supported by:
Jeremy Balfour, Miles Briggs, Tim Eagle, Meghan Gallacher, Dr Pam Gosal MBE, Dr Sandesh Gulhane (Registered interest)
, Liam Kerr, Douglas Lumsden, Douglas Ross, Alexander Stewart, Annie Wells, Tess White