The SNP today backed Scotland's frontline NHS with increased spending for Scotland's health boards across the next four years as the party meets it's manifesto commitment to pass on all the Barnett consequentials from health spending to health spending.

By 2014/15 local NHS boards will receive £1.4 billion more for local services - a real terms increase. The SNP will also invest over £2 billion in NHS capital projects including the South Glasgow Hospitals and Edinburgh's Sick Kids hospital.

SNP MSP for Glasgow and Deputy Convener of the Health Committee Bob Doris said: "The SNP has always put frontline health services first and today's spending plans continue that investment.

"Health boards will see the funds for frontline local services increase at a time when all public spending is under pressure and our investment in capital projects will increase.

"In my own area Greater Glasgow and Clyde will see funding reach £2 billion by 2013/14.

"Across the health service there will be tight times and efficiencies. That's why the SNP is making progress to cut the number of NHS managers by 25% to free up £100 million and is protecting workers with a no compulsory redundancy policy.

"This budget backs Scotland's NHS and alongside the shift to preventative spending on elderly care as well as the continued abolition of prescription charges and investment in free personal care the SNP is putting the health of Scotland's people first."