Significant and ongoing pressures within NHS Fife have resulted in a budget overspend of more than £19 million.

Finance chief Margo McGurk outlined the service’s “hugely-challenged” financial picture to board members on Tuesday.

The figures revealed a £19.6 million overspend by the end of November, well over the predicted amount of £10.4 million.

A report given to bosses broke this down to an £8.865m core overspend, a £6.939m financial gap in the approved plan, and £3.758m for unfunded COVID-related costs.

Ms McGurk said: “As with all NHS boards, the NHS Fife financial position is hugely challenged and that is set to continue.

“At the end of November, we were reporting an overspend of £19.6 million and anticipate that we will out-turn the year at an overspend of just over £19 million.

“Our financial plan was to deliver an overspend of £10.4 million, we are significantly beyond that and anticipate co-operation will be required from the Scottish Government to support us.

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