An NHS cash boost that would take health spending in Scotland to its highest ever level has been pledged by the Scottish government. 

Amid uncertainty due to a delayed UK government budget and the resignation this morning of finance secretary Derek Mackay, minister Kate Forbes this afternoon promised funding for healthcare would pass £15bn.

Other commitments included a £100m boost for social care; nearly £200m so that more patients can use community pharmacies as their first point of call for minor health complaints, and a cash injection for mental health services.

Speaking in Holyrood, Ms Forbes said the plans had been drawn up based on the ‘best estimate’ of the ‘minimum’ amount of cash the Scottish government had to play with.

This is because the UK government delayed its own budget, which dictates a large portion of the Scottish government’s funding.

The Highland MSP warned cuts by ministers in London could prompt a rejigging of the plans.

Commitments on climate change, which formed most of Ms Forbes’ speech today, also stretched to the health service.

A promise for NHS Scotland to go green – previously reported by healthandcare.scot – was reiterated alongside a pledge to ‘minimise’ the environmental impacts of the health service supply chain.

NHS boards will be asked to focus on waiting times for elective procedures in their plans for the next three years, and the £428m pot for health capital projects includes cash for new elective centres, as well as £1m for a thrombectomy service for stroke patients.

Meanwhile social care investment will increase by £100m to £800m.

An accompanying report states the new NHS Pharmacy First service, which will see high street pharmacies provide treatment and advice for minor health problems, will be ‘available to all residents in Scotland, irrespective of circumstances’.

The government says this will help reduce inequalities:

‘This approach will allow us to reach those hardest-to-reach in our communities, making community pharmacy into the first port of call for NHS services to the homeless, Gypsy Travellers, those in care, and care homes for the elderly.’