Moray Integration Joint Board (MIJB) has emphasised the urgent need for the transformation of health and social care services to ensure their future sustainability.
At yesterday’s meeting (Thursday 30 January), the Board reviewed its updated financial position with the latest accounts forecasting a projected £5.5m overspend for the current year and an estimated £12.8m budget gap for 2025/26.
Current in-year pressures stem mainly from rising costs across the range of services the IJB has responsibility for, in particular in primary care prescribing; services to care for and support people with a learning disability; services for older people; and for people with a physical or sensory disability. Other areas where budgets are overspent include community hospitals and out of area placements for people whose health and care needs cannot currently be met by services in Moray.
Health & Social Care Moray (HSCM) is implementing a series of budget oversight and controls to tackle the budget overspend. This includes robust spending controls and targeted savings measures. The partnership is also carrying out service reviews to identify opportunities for redesign, aiming to create a more sustainable and efficient operating model.
Dennis Roberston, Chair of the MIJB, said: “The Health and Social Care sector across Scotland continues to be in a very challenging and unsustainable financial position. Like most other Integration Joint Boards, we must carefully evaluate where we can achieve cost savings, efficiencies and service reductions to ensure our limited resources best serve our population’s needs and our key priorities.”
The MIJB will finalise its 2025/26 budget at its next meeting on 27 March 2025.
