New report indicates cost-saving plans for Scottish NHS

Scotland's NHS could be set to undergo major changes in order to overcome a 400 million pound funding gap, according to a new report.

Confidential papers presented to a meeting of health board chief executives and civil servants last month have been revealed by BBC News and the Herald courtesy of a whistleblower, revealing that centralised hospitals and service closures could be on the cards.

It was also suggested that Scottish government plans for greater focus on care in the community and increased primary care budgets could be undermined by the budgetary shortfall over the next two years, which is greater than expected.

Health secretary Alex Neil responded to the report by stating it forms part of an ongoing discussion about the future strategic direction of the Scottish NHS.

He said: "We continue to develop our health service to meet the changing demands of the people of Scotland, and that's why we've already legislated to integrate health and social care from April next year."

Scotland's NHS plans will take on greater significance if the country chooses to vote for independence in the upcoming referendum on September 18th.