NHS chiefs in rates appeal

HEALTH chiefs are appealing against a decision to increase NHS Lothian's business rates by more than £5 million.

The Lothian Valuation Joint Board wants to increase the charges the health board pays, but that ruling has been appealed by the health board.

It thinks the 5.4m rise, at a time when it is trying to make efficiency savings six times that amount, is unfair, but director of finance Susan Goldsmith said she was "assuming a worst case scenario at present".