A new report from Audit Scotland has said that urgent action is needed to turn around the financial and performance problems at NHS Tayside.
NHS Tayside met just seven from twenty national standards this March - two fewer than they achieved the year before.
Despite the Scottish Government promising to cancel debts, the region is facing a current budget deficit of £18.7m for 2018-19. The report also found that bungling bosses paid outgoing Chief Executive, Lesley McLay, £51,000 more than she was entitled to as part of her severance package.
Murdo Fraser MSP said:
“Audit Scotland’s latest report makes grim reading for those in charge at NHS Tayside.
“From the outside looking in, the handling of the endowment fund scandal appeared shambolic but now the true extent of this fiasco has been laid bare.
“Over-paying departing staff to the tune of £51,000 is simply not on and underlines just how poorly run things have been run at the health board. Employees who have made serious errors should not be handed golden goodbyes from the taxpayer.”
Liz Smith MSP said:
“The fact that NHS Tayside still can’t get its finances under control despite Government bailouts is hugely concerning. It doesn’t take much to imagine that further brokerage loans will be required in the future. The incoming Chief Executive has a full in-tray and it is important that he shows decisive leadership over the coming months.
“Patients in Tayside deserve better and the poor governance practices that lead to the over-compensation of the outgoing Chief Executive must be consigned to the past.”