THE 2017/18 budget for Health and Social Care in Fife was agreed on Thursday at a meeting of the Integrated Joint Board (IJB), including proposals to meet a £23m shortfall in funding, against opposition from four members of the Board.

But the decision left some Board members concerned that the budget will leave some services in jeopardy.

Commenting on the decision, Board member, Lochgelly and Cardenden Councillor Linda Erskine, one of those who voted against the budget proposals, said: “This decision will undoubtedly lead to major service reductions in Health and Social Care and will lead to potential job losses in the public sector.

"Personally I couldn’t support a budget which proposed over £4million in unidentified savings without any equality impact assessment being provided to the board members. I believe that this would lead to potential reductions in care services for the most needy of our citizens.”

Leader of Fife Council Administration David Ross stated, “Officials have tried their best to bridge the £23m gap in funding but the reality is that the Scottish Government have not provided enough money.” 

At this meeting grave concerns were also expressed by unions, staff and patient representatives and by other members of the Board, about the risks and the impact these budget proposals could have on services. 

Mr Ross added: "The Council has allocated its share of funding to these joint services, with an additional £5m set aside for this in their budget, despite the Scottish Government saying we could actually cut our contribution by £5m.  Some savings have already been agreed through the redesign of services.

“This still leaves a black hole of £10m in the IJB’s budget to be filled by a hugely optimistic saving of £6m in prescribing costs and £4m of as yet unidentified savings. 

"The cost of prescribing has actually risen in the current year so I am not at all convinced £6m can be saved from prescribing next year.” 

Cllr Erskine also stated: “I wasn’t prepared to sign up to a budget which I think is unrealistic and could mean significant cuts to health and social care services.  To take an informed decision on this budget, members of the board should have been provided with the full detail of where the proposed cuts would fall.”

The IJB is a joint board made up of eight Fife Councillors and eight representatives of NHS Fife and has responsibility for primary, community and social care services.

Board Members voting against today’s decision apart from Cllr Ross were Cllr Judy Hamilton, Cllr Linda Erskine and NHS staff representative Wilma Brown.