NHS Fife have come under fire from a local MSP over the number of cancelled operations.

Figures show that in December last year, 129 procedures were called off, with just over six per cent postponed by the hospital due to capacity or non-clinical reasons.

Mid-Scotland and Fife MSP Alex Rowley has now written to the chief executive of NHS Fife to ask what steps are being taken to address the issue.

He said: “Patients and their families go through a lot of anxiety and stress in the lead up to an operation. For that operation to then be cancelled simply causes more grief and further worry.

"I have asked to make sure that those people who had their operations cancelled are being supported and given new dates as quickly as possible.

“In December NHS Fife had nearly double the national figure for Scotland for cancellations by the hospital for capacity or non-clinical reasons. I am trying to find out why this is.

"What is causing such a large number of cancellations in our hospitals?

“It is important for patients, their families and the wider public to know the details behind the high numbers of cancellations, and most importantly, what lessons are being learnt to ensure the chances of further cancellations of operations does not happen in the future.”

A total of 1.8 per cent of operations were cancelled by patients, with a further 3.6 per cent scrapped by the hospital on clinical reasons.

Helen Wright, interim chief operating officer, said an “unprecedented demand” for treatment over the winter period was due to bad weather.

She said: “NHS Fife has had a stronger elective performance than many other boards in Scotland.

“Unlike some areas, our approach has been to sustain elective activity by choosing to run an elective programme through November to January.

“Whilst there have been some cancellations, we have managed to deliver elective activity, with priority given at all times to clinical need.

“NHS Fife has also seen unprecedented demand for services this winter with bad weather contributing to an increased number of slips, trips and falls and a significant increase in the number of people with respiratory illnesses.

“We do appreciate that having any sort of procedure postponed can be frustrating and every effort is made to reschedule postponed procedures at the earliest possible opportunity.”