NHS admin costs double since devolution

Figures obtained by the Scottish Conservatives have shown that administration costs in the NHS have doubled over the past 12 years. Since the SNP came to power there has been an increase of nearly £100m.

Dr Nanette Milne MSP, Scottish Conservative Spokesperson for Public Health said:

"At a time when we see the SNP presiding over a post code lottery in health care with regards to specialist nurses and associated health professionals, the public will be disturbed to see that administration costs in the NHS have doubled over the past 12 years.

"In the current economic climate we need to be supporting front line services instead of wasting money on costly bureaucracy. Regardless of what SNP Ministers may say there is no getting away from the fact that administration costs in the NHS are going in completely the wrong direction. They have overseen a huge increase since they came to power and there are no signs of it slowing up.

"We have a duty to Scots to not only provide the best possible healthcare but provide taxpayers with value for money. This needless and huge spend on administration needs to stopped and it is vital that steps are taken immediately to start this process.

"That is why I have written to Nicola Sturgeon to ask for the Scottish Government to carry out a review of administration costs and to see where savings can be made in order to help maintain and improve frontline health services."

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