NHS Highland says its finances improving

NHS Highland has said new figures coming out in the next few weeks will show that its budget is back on track.

The health board had forecast a potential £15.6m overspend, based on the first three months of the financial year.

In a report to board members, finance director Nick Kenton said the forecast gave "significant cause for concern".

However, he added that there was time to break even by the end of financial year.

At a meeting on Tuesday, the board was told that the new figures would confirm an improving picture.

Raigmore Hospital in Inverness accounted for £10.5m of the potential projected overspend that was forecasted.

Waiting list initiatives, nursing reviews and the use of medical locums were identified as causes behind the overspend at Raigmore, the largest hospital in the Highlands.