Publication: Overview of the National Health Service in Scotland 2001/02

The number of NHS trusts facing deficits dropped in the last financial year, according to the annual overview report on the NHS by the Auditor General for Scotland, Robert Black. However at least some of this improvement can be attributed to a one-off £90 million extra payment provided by the Scottish Executive, and underlying financial pressures remain. Auditors have also expressed concern about the ability of three trusts in particular to deliver their financial plans in 2002/03 and beyond. These are Argyll and Clyde Acute Hospitals Trust, Grampian University Hospitals Trust and Lothian University Hospitals Trust.