The organisation in charge of some of Aberdeenshire’s most crucial services overspent by nearly £3.5 million last year. The integrated joint board – which brings together health and social care services – recorded the overspend, which had to be plugged by Aberdeenshire Council and NHS Grampian.
In a report, members were told the financial forecast this time last year was £2.8 million over budget, but that it actually finished £3.48 million due to growing pressure and demand.
At a meeting in Inverurie yesterday, the group discussed proposed savings for the year ahead and some of the measures already taken to reduce costs while continuing to provide for those in need.
Among the proposals were cuts to prescribing, where there has already been a saving of £41,000 between April and June, simply by trying to reduce waste on drugs. The projected cost for the year however, remains at £466,000.
Changes to adult services have already brought about a saving of £735,000. The IJB has redesigned the services, with community support being used more than residential rehab within substance misuse services. The service is also trying out supervised detox within community hospitals, while a joint group has been set up with Aberdeen City Council to look at learning disability support.
IJB member and a retired physiatrist nurse, Sharon Duncan, was concerned about the some of those proposals on staff.
She said: “If we reduce the budget for adult services, day care, residential care by 4.6% and at the same time cut the budget for greater and integrated working and support.
“There is an element of one will be more cost effective than the other, but if cut both staff already working at capacity will have to make decisions.
“There isn’t a lot of slack in the system to make those decisions and I am voicing my concern.”
Alan Wood, chief finance officer, said in his report to the board: “As the year progresses, the financial position will clearly be a focus for the IJB, recognising that there are limited resources and that choices may have to be made in terms of service delivery.
“Early and continual dialogue with partners will ensure that the IJB delivery plan is understood and integral to the funding priorities of both partner organisations.