NHS Ayrshire & Arran may have a new face at the top, but the financial problems remain very familiar - with the warning of the difficult choices that may be required to address it. ‌

Professor Gordon James, who has stepped in as Interim Chief Executive after Claire Burden took 'extended leave,' attended his first health board meeting since joining at the start of the month. ‌

He was left in no doubt about the challenges facing the service, which is ready £11m overspent after three months of the financial year. ‌

Finance Director Derek Lindsay told NHS Ayrshire & Arran Health Board that a projected shortfall of £33.1m was set out by the board in March, only for the Scottish Government to come back and demand this be cut to £25m.

But the figures made for familiar reading, with an o

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