The first patients were expected to be treated under the contract last February but the contract with a South African healthcare group that recently took over Dundee’s Fernbrae Private Clinic has yet to be signed, sealed and delivered.

However, the prevarications hammering out exactly what will be done and at what cost seem to be reaching a satisfactory conclusion.

NHS Tayside’s Chief Operating Officer Gerry Marr told members of the health authority’s delivery unit committee meeting in Ashludie Hospital, Monifieth, today that he expected the contract to be signed next week.

The protracted negotiations have been carried out behind closed doors for reasons of commercial confidentiality. Mr Marr has said previously he is taking legal advice on what can and cannot be placed in the public domain as he insisted it was his wish to be as open and transparent as possible.

However, as the negotiating team prepares to cross the finishing line, the last lap will take place in private.

Mr Marr told members of the committee today he was confident “all outstanding matters are resolved” and he will be recommending to the full board of NHS Tayside meeting in Dundee tomorrow that the contract should be signed. But that decision will be taken in a private session of the otherwise public meeting of the board.

“At the board meeting tomorrow we will be seeking authorisation to sign the contract with the private sector company sometime around September 15.

“Negotiations have been completed satisfactorily.” He added that very importantly the views of local clinicians had been sought and their agreement has been “secured”.

Mr Marr stated that if the contract was signed as planned patients would start to be treated under that contract in November with the private sector involvement becoming “fully operational” within three months.

The private sector is being brought in to make the best use of spare capacity at Stracathro. However it has always been stressed that it is only NHS patients that will be treated there under the arrangements and the investment is being made to drive down waiting times.