THE health and social care sector in the Wee County is set to benefit from government investment to help with the financial implications of coronavirus.

The Clackmannanshire and Stirling Health and Social Care Partnership will receive £1.3million as part of a Scottish Government funding package.

It will help address the immediate challenges faced in the sector while supporting the ongoing provision of social care.

The partnership brings together the area's two local authorities and NHS Forth Valley.

Since the outbreak mobilisation plans have been put in place to ensure the local health and social care system is as ready as possible to address the pandemic.

There have been extra costs. Indeed, papers from a virtual health board meeting at the end of April showed that additional GP prescribing costs attributable to Covid-19 in March alone were estimated at more than £1million in a wider area including Falkirk.

Board meeting papers added: "Given the scale of costs identified at approx. nine per cent of annual budget and the inherent uncertainties of service demand and duration, the impact of Covid-19 is a significant financial risk for 2020-21 and beyond.

"As well as budget support from Scottish Government based on UK Treasury Barnett consequentials there will also be a requirement to re-prioritise available funding from within the NHS Board Financial Plan in supporting Covid services going forward.

"There will be a longer term financial impact on the wider economy with consequence for health service, i.e. Covid related and non-Covid related harm for the population of Scotland as a whole."

There are also non-direct financial impacts of coronavirus.

While the health board certainly had to spend extra on medical equipment, the outbreak has put savings plans at risk as well.

According to documents from the meeting, director of finance Scott Urquhart noted that "delivering savings plans carried a high level or risk particularly in regard to the escalating impact of Covid-19".

The minutes added: "Mr Urquhart described the significant and wide ranging financial impact of Covid-19 across services including direct additional costs and a delay in the planned delivery of savings programmes."

The additional funding for health and social care partnerships has been welcomed by MSP Shirley-Anne Somerville.

She said: "The social care sector is at the frontline of the current pandemic and will inevitably face additional costs.

"This funding demonstrates the Scottish Government's commitment to social care – and will ensure that any increasing need for social care because of the pandemic is met.

"I'm sure I speak on behalf of everyone when I share my gratitude towards those working in social care, and all of our frontline key workers, who are doing vital work in the most difficult of circumstances."