The Public Audit Committee looks at reports published by the Auditor General for Scotland to examine whether public money is being spent efficiently and effectively.
On 3 December 2024 the Auditor General for Scotland published NHS in Scotland 2024: Finance and performance.
The report says "Health accounts for about 40 per cent of the Scottish budget, and NHS funding grew again in 2023/24, but recent increases have been used largely to cover pay commitments and inflation. Costs are forecast to continue rising, identifying and making savings remains challenging, and investment in new healthcare facilities remains paused. To address current financial pressures, fundamental change in how NHS services are provided is now urgently needed".
The report was discussed at the following Committee meetings in relation to its work programme:
Minutes of the meeting on 26 March 2025 (Work Programme):
In relation to NHS in Scotland 2024: Finance and performance, the Committee agreed to write to the Health, Social Care and Sport Committee and in doing so, close its scrutiny of the report.
The Committee has sent and received the following correspondence during the scrutiny of the report:
Correspondence from the Convener to Clare Haughey MSP, Convener of the Health, Social Care and Sport Committee, 3 April 2025
Correspondence to the Convener from Caroline Lamb, Chief Executive of NHS Scotland and Director-General Health and Social Care, Scottish Government, 11 March 2025
Correspondence from the Convener to Caroline Lamb, Chief Executive of NHS Scotland and Director-General Health and Social Care, Scottish Government, 11 February 2025
Correspondence to the Convener from Stephen Boyle, the Auditor General for Scotland, 20 December 2024