NHS Lothian calls for fees

NHS Lothian has asked the Scottish Government to help it recoup more than half a million pounds’ worth of fees from other health boards for treating their patients.

The board often offers treatment to patients from outside the Lothians, but after disagreements over the formula for receiving payments, it is still trying to claim £120,000 from Ayrshire and Arran Health Board and £384,000 from Grampian Health Board.

Chief operating officer Jackie Sansbury said of the formula: “It is accepted across most of the NHS in Scotland.”

Director of Finance for NHS Lothian, Susan Goldsmith, added: “We are working with the other boards to ensure that any issues around payment are resolved.”