 Health reforms have proved disappointing, MSPs have said |
Efforts to give a tonic to Scotland's ailing health service have proved disappointing, a committee of MSPs has said. Extra funding is not producing value for money, according to Holyrood's audit committee.
It delivered its verdict after a series of studies by the Auditor General for Scotland.
The MSPs' report found that some health boards were continuing to live beyond their means.
The inquiry also warned of mounting financial problems.
The committee chairman, Tory MSP Brian Monteith, said it was difficult to avoid the conclusion that some key services may be costing more but providing less.
He found that pay increases given to doctors under their new contracts did not reflect Scotland's needs, the benefits to patients was unclear and the committee was not convinced they represented good value for money.
Ministers were accused of not having a clear plan for "driving large-scale reform in the NHS".
The report said: "The top-level picture of a system in financial balance does not tell the whole story. In fact, the report paints a picture of building financial pressures."
Mr Monteith added: "The decline in activity in some areas is particularly concerning given recent high levels of investment and the record numbers of staff in the system.
"Successive audit committee inquiries have found that the Scottish Executive Health Department has failed to secure real improvements on core issues. This has to change."
The findings come as Argyll and Clyde Health Board is being scrapped after running up debts of �80m.
A major shake-up of the health service is also to be carried out after a report by Professor David Kerr.
Health Minister Andy Kerr hit back at the criticism from MSPs, saying they had ignored improvements that had already been made.
"It is ironic that following the announcement last week that waiting times are coming crashing down, we should receive a report which points out the issues facing the NHS back in 2003," he said.
"We will be responding to this report in due course, but we have already been at work tackling the issues it raises.
"In the meantime, I am determined to look forward and have set out my priorities clearly - health improvement, faster treatment and increased productivity within the health service.
"We are taking steps to improve the health of the Scottish people through initiatives like preventing smoking in public places.
Mr Kerr continued: "And we are taking action to improve productivity, by introducing a tariff system which will allow us to compare the costs and efficiency of different hospitals.
"We are proud of the investment we have made in staff over the last year.
"We are currently reviewing our performance management system to ensure that we get the best out of the NHS."
The Scottish NHS Confederation, which represents health boards, welcomed the report.
Director Hilary Robertson said: "Investment in the NHS has risen substantially and real progress is being made to improve services.
"However, the majority of our members still face the financial pressures stemming from implementing new contracts, redesigning services, EU legislation and prescribing costs."
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The report paints a picture of building financial pressures
