17th July 2007
Health Funding Must Reflect Need –
McNeil
As discussions take place between
Scottish Executive Ministers and Health Board bosses over funding allocations,
MSP for Greenock and Inverclyde, Duncan McNeil, has called for health cash to be
allocated on the basis of need.
Mr McNeil has
written to Health Minister, Nicola Sturgeon, seeking assurances that, “in
reviewing health board finance, you will refrain from any moves which will
reduce funding for boards in west central Scotland and that any system of
funding allocation will be based on need, not geography.”
Speaking
today, he said:
“It might
seem obvious that health spending should be concentrated where health is
poorest. But, even now, that
doesn’t happen. Good medical care
still tends to be most available to those who need it least.
“It would
therefore be extremely worrying if more funds were taken away from places like
Greenock and ploughed into the healthy, oil-rich northeast.
“Health
services in communities like ours, which have historically suffered from poor
public health and particular health challenges, need a greater share of the
funding and investment, not less.”
Mr McNeil has
also made representations to NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, seeking an assurance
that Inverclyde’s health challenges will be recognised when funding for the
new Community Health Partnership (CHP) is agreed.
In a letter to Chief Executive, Tom Divers, he says that:
“To tackle
some of the endemic public health problems in communities such as mine … I
believe that the funding levels allocated to Inverclyde’s CHP must reflect our
particular public health challenges.”
Adding:
“Accordingly,
I would welcome your assurance that, when NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde comes to
agree the funding allocations for the various CHPs within its area, the distinct
factors in Inverclyde will be noted and weighted appropriately.”
ENDS
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