Fife councillors clash over NHS Fife's financial crisis

In light of the health board's money woes, a motion was tabled to write to the Scottish Government. 

Lib Dem councillor James Calder, who represents Dunfermline South, said: “I want to thank and pay tribute to our NHS staff who are working under extreme pressure and strain right now. As a chamber we should mark our appreciation to them.”

READ MORE: Fife College staff set to strike in the new year

He continued: “I bring this motion forward out of significant concern. When I initially put this forward, the NHS Fife overspend was at £10.9 million, now it sits at nearly £16m with projections showing it could reach £23m by March.

Lib Dem councillor James Calder said the scale of NHS Fife's financial problems were absolutely staggering.

"These figures are absolutely staggering and like other residents I’m extremely alarmed as we see these figures continue to deteriorate.” 

NHS Fife finances are not linked to Fife Council budgets or spending, but Cllr Calder’s motion states that the health board’s position is a matter of concern for Fifers.

“Some of these worries include concerns of staff being overstretched and access to services,” the approved motion states. 

Cllr David Alexander, leader of the SNP opposition, put forward a defeated amendment which asked the council to note that NHS Fife is in “constant contact” with the Scottish Government as regards its financial situation and asked councillors to note that “the health service in Scotland is the best in the UK, with more doctors, and more nurses, per head of population”. 

As a debate ensued, it didn’t take long before councillors brought Holyrood and Westminster debates into the council chamber. 

Lib Dems made barbed comments about Holyrood’s SNP government, while SNP councillors were outraged by the motion – claiming it undermined the hard work of local NHS staff. 

“This motion is pure unadulterated, shameless politics,” Cllr Alexander said. 

“This is the usual scaremongering and undermining (of NHS staff).

"By moving this, Lib Dems ignore their huge part in the financial problems of the UK leading to this situation right now." 

READ MORE: Raise a glass as Dalgety Bay whisky firm makes it three in a row

He continued: “Our health and social care staff don’t deserve this. The Scottish Government is well aware of the situation in Fife and elsewhere as is clear from the latest NHS strategy report – if the Lib Dems even read it.”

Leader of the SNP opposition, Councillor David Alexander, slammed the motion as pure unadulterated, shameless politics”. (Image: Fife Council)

Cllr Calder laid the blame for NHS Fife’s situation at the feet of “woefully poor strategic leadership from the SNP and Green Scottish Government”. 

“The SNP have been at best asleep at the wheel and at worst wilfully incompetent when it comes to our healthcare,” he claimed. 

Labour councillor Altany Craik said: “As to whose fault it is, that’s a matter open for debate but that’s not what the motion is about. 

“The motion wants us to write to the Scottish health secretary and ask for more information – I can’t understand why everyone is so excited about it.” 

He continued: “If we are to be an effective scrutiny body and an effective local authority, we need to accept the places where things are right as well as the places where it’s not as good as we’d like it to be.

"This letter will help us get where we need to be – particularly before the budget is set because there’s no point in moaning about it afterwards.” 

Cllr Craik concluded: “We’re at Christmas, it’s a letter, let’s send the letter and for God’s sake move on.” 

The motion was approved by 36 votes to 32. 

The council will write to the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care, Michael Matheson, to request information on what support the Scottish Government are providing to resolve the situation with NHS Fife finances.