HEALTH chiefs in the Borders have welcomed the Scottish Government’s decision to plough an extra £9 million into the NHS.

The plan was announced by First Minister Nicola Sturgeon last week, to help emergency departments, hospitals and community services cope with an upsurge over the winter months.

A total of £7 million has been allocated to individual health boards and the remaining £2 million will be targeted at initiatives that help support winter capacity. It was announced that NHS Borders have been given £146,908, of the £7 million allocation. And Ms Sturgeon said the measures would help prevent unnecessary hospital admissions and free up beds, for people who need them most.

She said: “The additional £9 million for this year will ensure patients get the best treatment in the most appropriate place, easing pressure on our A&E departments and maximising patient flows within hospitals which face additional admission demands in winter.

"Winter guidance was issued to boards in August and health boards are now well advanced in their unscheduled care planning - putting them on the front foot to build on last year’s good performance and deal with additional pressures throughout the coming winter.”

The money has been targeted to where it is most needed and NHS Borders say the contribution will help them through a “challenging” winter period.

A spokesperson for NHS Borders, told us: “We welcome this contribution provided by the Scottish Government to support us through the challenging winter period.

"NHS Borders and Scottish Borders Council are working together on a winter plan to ensure that people receive the right care at the right time to either avoid admission to hospital or to receive timely and effective treatment if they are admitted.”