NHS Grampian has agreed to move forward with a bid for more than £56 million of Scottish Government capital funding.
At a meeting of the health board yesterday, members unanimously decided to proceed with plans to secure the cash, which comes from a £200million Holyrood funding pot created to help future proof health services across Scotland.
It is hoped the cash could be used to improve priority elective care across Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire and Moray, focusing on clinical areas such as dermatology, urology, endoscopy, radiology and primary care to free up resources elsewhere.
At yesterday’s meeting, some concerns were raised regarding the increased operating costs that could be associated with new services and projects once they are completed and in place.
The proposed bid will be discussed at a meeting later this year.
The NHS Grampian board also agreed to postpone a decision on a new memorandum of understanding which would make it easier for staff to be transferred between NHS Grampian and NHS Highland, Orkney, Shetland, Western Isles and Tayside.
Concerns were put forward that without correct wording, employees could potentially be shifted around different health board regions to their detriment.
The memorandum will return to the board at a later date.