NHS Highland has spent nearly £8million on hotels and travel for patients in the past three years, it emerged yesterday.
As well as sending patients to Aberdeen, the central belt and even hospitals in England for specialist treatment, the bill includes the cost of bringing residents in rural areas to the board’s flagship hospital in Inverness.
Last night, the health board blamed the cost on the area’s rural geography. However, a lack of specialist services in the area is also an issue.
The revelation comes as NHS Highland prepares to discuss its latest budget forecast at a meeting next week.
According to a report, the board could be £8.5million overspent if immediate action is not taken.
However, Highlands and Islands MSP Rhoda Grant backed the health board’s approach.
She said: “They are sending patients to the best place to get the best care they can. That is to be welcomed.
“It is also welcome that NHS Highland reimburses patients because some people can be put off from getting treatment by their financial situation.”
She added: “If there is not the demand for services, then consultants become de-skilled.”
A Scottish Government spokeswoman said: “We expect NHS boards to provide the best possible care to patients within the fastest possible timescales and sometimes this may mean travelling farther afield for specialist treatment.
“Where this is necessary, NHS boards are expected to cover the associated travel and accommodation costs for patients.
“The majority of these costs relate to travel rather than accommodation, particularly for those living in remote and rural areas.
“For example, almost 90% of this spend relates to NHS Highland’s expenditure on the Highlands and Islands Travel scheme, which provides non-means-tested reimbursement of travel expenses for people living in the Highlands and islands NHS board areas and reflects the requirements of a rural population that at times has to travel long distances to receive treatment.”
Patients receive up to £35 for bed and breakfast and 18p per mile in travel expenses, although those not on benefits pay the first £10.
The spokeswoman added: “Many patients must travel significant distances, along rural roads, across seas and so on to access healthcare. These journeys can take three to four hours or longer each way, depending on the mode of travel.
“In addition, some patients have to travel to Aberdeen or the central belt.
“Furthermore, with a number of islands in NHS Highland’s area, many of the journeys may include a flight or ferry.
“Some of these journeys often cannot be completed in one day and overnight accommodation is required.
“Providing accommodation in hotels or guest houses costs a fraction of what it would cost to accommodate these patients in hospital.”
She added that some patients were unable to travel alone and might require an escort, who would also require accommodation.