BED occupancy levels at Dunfermline’s Queen Margaret Hospital and the Victoria Hospital in Kirkcaldy have exceeded the recommended levels regularly, a new survey has revealed.

The QMH figure failed to meet the recommended figure of 85 per cent over the period covered by a BBC Freedom of Information request and rose to more than 97 per cent.

At the Vic, where there are around 330 medical beds, the occupancy rate was 90.55 per cent in February 2013, 89.96 per cent the following month and 90.11 per cent in the April.

The figure fell below the recommended level in later months but this year was back up to 87.97 per cent in January, 87.32 per cent in February and 87.40 per cent in March.

The Kirkcaldy hospital also had 61 cancelled surgeries in January 2013 and 67 the following month.

At the Queen Margaret, the occupancy levels were all well above the 85 per cent level during the period from January 2013 to March 2014.

The percentage figures for that period were 97.52, 96.69, 96.07, 95.65, 95.32, 97.10, 95.28, 96.77, 94.73, 96.54, 96.76, 96.12, 95.79, 96.12 and 96.31.

The BBC Scotland website reported, “The data, obtained through a series of co-ordinated Freedom of Information requests to the country’s 14 health boards, reveals many of Scotland’s hospitals are overcrowded and wards have higher than the recommended occupancy rate of 85 per cent.

“The data revealed a lack of available medical beds in many of Scotland’s hospitals meant many patients had to be moved – or ‘boarded’ – to other wards in order to cope.” Commenting, medical director at NHS Fife, Dr Brian Montgomery, said, “Regrettably, a number of elective operations were cancelled in the Victoria Hospital in January and February 2013. However, this decision was taken due to the volume of medical emergency patients who were admitted to the hospital.

“In relation to the higher level of bed occupancy in the Queen Margaret Hospital, this is largely down to a combination of two factors.

“Firstly, a significant number of patients at the Queen Margaret Hospital require longer-term care and, therefore, often occupy beds for longer periods of time.

“Secondly, the Victoria Hospital predominantly operates as an acute unit, whereas the Queen Margaret Hospital provides a number of downstream beds that are often used to transfer patients from the Victoria, as their care requirements change.

“Ultimately, occupancy rates reflect the combined effects of a number of different factors; including both demand and the ability to free up beds when patients are ready to return to their homes.

“Unfortunately, and reflecting other health boards across Scotland, NHS Fife is not always able to move patients as quickly as is necessary. This can lead to higher levels of occupancy and, in turn, boarding.

“In partnership with our colleagues at Fife Council, the board of NHS Fife is making strenuous efforts to ensure that no patient stays in hospital for longer than is necessary and that beds are available for those who require admission.”