DUMFRIES and Galloway’s Integration Joint Board (IJB) recently heard an update on the Partnership’s financial position from Chief Finance Officer Katy Kerr for 2024/25.
The update recognised significant savings by NHS Dumfries and Galloway. The delegated IJB budget approved at the start of the year aimed to save £16.4 million this year. As of the end of December the health board had delivered £15.8 million in savings, and the rest are expected to follow by the end of the 2024-25 financial year on 31 March 2025.
However, rising costs and increases in demand for health care mean that the health board remains is forecasting a deficit, with an expected overspend of £31 million by the end of March, the IJB heard.
Meanwhile, Dumfries and Galloway Council spending on adult social care is currently forecasting an overspend of £0.5m though this is expected to return to the break-even point by the end of the financial year.
Partnership Chief Officer Nicole Hamlet said: “Making savings without compromising on the quality of health and care service delivery we provide has not been easy – especially as financial pressures and the pressure of demand and activity increases remain very high.
“But there is more still to be done. Keeping the Integration Joint Board on a solid financial foundation is crucial if we are to continue to deliver the health care that the people of Dumfries and Galloway need.
“Many of the savings made this year are non-recurring, which means we must continue to work to find more ways to operate more efficiently. We ask for understanding and support from our staff, from our health and social care partners, and from everyone across the region, in making these savings.
“Reaching our budget targets in future years will be incredibly difficult and we will need to make some bold and challenging decisions to transform and redesign future service provision.”
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