NHS Grampian in U-turn over scrapping free nappies

Nappies will still be provided for babies born in NHS Grampian hospitals following a U-turn by the health board.

A recovery plan aimed at identifying savings for the year ahead had suggested stopping the provision of disposable nappies.

At a meeting of the NHS Grampian's board on Thursday, it was decided that the £8,000 saving should be found from elsewhere in the service.

The approved plan to save £23m will see some services stopped or reduced on public holidays, as well as cuts to spiritual care.

NHS Grampian has the highest forecasted financial overspend across NHS Scotland for the year ahead - despite it getting a Scottish government loan of more than £67m to tackle the issue.

The maximum overspend permitted by the Scottish government is £45m.

It requested the board come up with a recovery plan to reduce the deficit.

Among the savings proposed was stopping the provision of disposable nappies for the majority of babies born in hospitals and maternity units.

The cut in provision was not to apply babies requiring specialist care.

The board's chairwoman, Allison Evison said: ''I think it's really important that we are really aware of the needs of the people we serve in Grampian and the people who are coming in to our hospital.

"It did not meet with our priorities around trying to eradicate child poverty.

"Obviously there are lots of people who will come in to hospital with their own nappies, but I think it is really important that we provide for the people that come to our hospital that need our support as well. ''

Last month, NHS Grampian was escalated to stage four of NHS Scotland's National Performance Framework over concerns about governance and finances.

An external review is currently being conducted by KPMG to identify how the board can make further savings.

This review is expected to be completed by the end of June.