WEST FIFERS are being urged to have their say on the future of health services in Fife.

Consultation on changes which could see West Fife left with no overnight out-of-hour services began earlier this month and workshops are now being held for the public to find out more and express their views.

Fife Health and Social Care Partnership Board’s Joining Up Care consultation, which will run until October 8, outlines three possible ways forward:

1 Stay the same with four urgent care centres open in the evenings, at weekends, and on public holidays based at the Glenrothes, St Andrews Community, Victoria and the Queen Margaret hospitals with three centres being open overnight. The Partnership says there aren’t enough GPs or nurses to staff all centres for this option to work with the current shortages of staff in all areas of Fife.

2 Two Urgent Care Centres – at the Victoria and the Queen Margaret – which would be open in the evenings, weekends and public holidays but only the Kirkcaldy one would stay open overnight.

3 Overnight care in Dunfermline with both centres remaining open.
The Partnership says the collective goal of the ‘Joining Up Care’ consultation proposition is to establish a fully-integrated, 24 hours-a-day, 7-days-a-week community health and social care model that ensures sustainable, safe and more individual experience of care.

Mid Scotland and Fife MSP Alex Rowley has urged West Fifers to get involved.

“It is really important that local people take the time to get involved in this consultation and make sure their views are heard,” he said.

“There was widespread concern when the overnight services were withdrawn from the Queen Margaret Hospital and it is my view we need those services back.

“The consultation, as well as considering out-of-hours care, is also proposing to set up Community Health and Wellbeing Hubs and is considering the options for the future of community hospitals and care beds. 

“None of us know when we or our families may need these services so it is important that we know what is being proposed and that we have an input into planning for the future of so many vital local community health services.”

Director of Fife Health and Social Care Partnership, Michael Kellet, said: “We want to hear as many views as possible and encourage as many people to come along and meet the team. To make sure that care remains safe and sustainable now and in the future, all three parts of the Joining Up Care proposal will be progressed. I encourage as many people as possible to take part so that we ensure people get the right care, at the right time, in the right place – day or night.”

Consultation workshops have been organised across Fife. The first will be taking place in Dunfermline’s City Chambers on Tuesday between 6.45-8.30pm with another planned for Wednesday, September 5, from 11.15am until 1pm.

There will be a workshop in Inverkeithing High School on Thursday, August 30, from 6.45-8.30pm and one in Invzievar Primary in Oakley on Thursday, September 13, from 6.45-8.30pm.

Doors will open 30 minutes before each event starts.

For more information, see www.fifehealthandsocialcare.org/joiningupcare.