NHS FIFE is struggling to fill consultant posts and failing to meet several performance targets, an Audit Scotland report has confirmed.

The report, published last week, showed that the health board had one of the top three consultant vacancy rates at 13.3 per cent and “experienced difficulty achieving a number of performance targets in 2013/14”.

The report added, “NHS Fife has highlighted vacancies for radiologists and difficulties securing locums, which have had an impact on waiting times for diagnostic tests.” All health boards broke even in 2013/14 but the report found “clear evidence” that they were “finding it increasingly difficult to meet their financial and performance targets”.

Fife was also among five boards which had not identified the breakdown of their savings after 2014/15.

Adding to the financial pressure is Fife’s high level of backlog maintenance, which is required to ensure hospitals and other buildings are fit for purpose.

Of the seven health boards which showed an increase in this area, totalling £19.9m, Fife had by far the highest increase at £13.5m.

NHS Fife also failed to meet performance targets in several areas in 2013 and 2014, including 12-week treatment times for outpatients.

It did not make the grade for 12-week treatment times for inpatients in 2013 and the four-week waiting period for delayed discharges in 2014.

Director of acute services Heather Knox confirmed there were currently 37.75 acute consultant vacancies.

She commented, “In common with other district general hospitals across Scotland, NHS Fife is experiencing challenges in recruiting to consultant posts.

“However, we have taken proactive steps to reduce these vacancies, including a comprehensive recruitment campaign targeting our vacancies in the fields of anaesthetics, gastroenterology, paediatrics, care of the elderly and radiology.

“This campaign has helped us to reduce the number of vacancies and we expect to continue moving in the right direction with a view to further appointments over the coming months.

“Furthermore, in February 2015 we will be embarking on a further recruitment drive to attract trainee consultants who have become fully qualified.” On missing performance targets, she said, “Like all boards, there are pressures on our services as our population lives longer with increasingly complex care needs.

“We continue to work collaboratively with our colleagues in Fife Council and the voluntary and independent sectors to look at any additional measures we can take to ensure that those patients ready to return home can do so at the earliest possible opportunity and with the appropriate care and support they need.” Regarding backlog maintenance, finance director Chris Bowring, said, “NHS Fife continues to work in a variety of ways that are designed to minimise backlog maintenance.

“The health board proactively assesses and rationalises its estate, establishes an annual prioritised, rolling programme of work, directing the increased investment provided by the Scottish Government to effectively minimise backlog maintenance levels.”