Health boards allocated £9.1bn

Health boards have been given a £9.1 billion budget boost to fund services in 2013-14. The funding for the 14 territorial health boards represents a real-terms rise of 3.3% on the previous year, the Scottish Government said.

It is part of a health and wellbeing budget totalling £12 billion, with £11.8 billion for healthcare. As well as £9.1 billion to fund the day-to-day running of the health service, around £390 million will be spent on improving NHS buildings and equipment.

Elsewhere, £133 million will be used for sport and the Commonwealth Games in 2013-14 and £80 million will be spent on supporting the integration of health and social care services. The lowest-paid NHS workers will receive up to 1% more wages in 2013-14.

All health boards will be asked to make “efficiency savings” of at least 3%, with the money “reinvested” in frontline care.

Health Secretary Alex Neil said: “We are committed to protecting spending on health, and this budget reflects a funding increase in real terms for every territorial health board across Scotland.

“Despite a difficult economic climate, we know how important it is that we continue to invest in our NHS. That is why we have protected health spending so we can continue to deliver a first-class service to patients across the country.

“It is right that, despite protected budgets, the NHS is as efficient as possible with taxpayers’ money. Overall, all health boards are making efficiency savings in excess of 3%, which will be reinvested in frontline services.

“With just under two years to go to Glasgow 2014, we are proud to be investing an extra £1 million in elite athletes and over £133 million into sport and the Commonwealth Games – a project which, I am pleased to say, remains on time and budget.

“Not only will people across Scotland be inspired to get active, the Games and other major sporting events will create jobs, provide contract opportunities for Scottish businesses and boost our events and tourism industry.”