NHS Boards are responsible for expenditure of around £17 billion per year of which £10 billion is delegated to 31 Integration Joint Boards (IJBs) and employ over 170,000 members of staff. There are 14 territorial NHS Boards, which are responsible for the protection and the improvement of their population’s health and for the delivery of frontline healthcare services. There are also 8 national bodies, which provide a range of support, specialist and national level services. Each Health Body has its own ‘Board’ of governance which is accountable through the Board Chair to Scottish Ministers.
They have governance responsibilities ranging from protecting, improving and maintaining the health of the population to the planning and delivery of safe, effective, sustainable, efficient and good quality NHS services in their areas. Each Board requires a diverse mix of individuals with varying skills and experiences to help in their operation.
One of the main functions is to put government policies into practice in the best way possible.
All Health Bodies work together for the benefit of the people of Scotland. They work closely with partner public organisations across Scotland to fulfil the Scottish Government’s Purpose and National Outcomes.
Further information on each of the Health Boards operating in Scotland can be found here.