NHS FIFE insists it has a plan in place to cope with a backlog of operations caused by the coronavirus pandemic.

Waiting lists are being reviewed regularly and with restart plans set for a "number of key specialities", proposals for remaining services will be agreed in the coming weeks.

Mid-Fife and Scotland MSP Liz Smith highlighted figures from the ISD (Information Services Division) Scotland recently showing that between March and May 2020, a total of 1,408 planned operations took place in the region – compared to 4,409 that took place in the same timeframe last year.

She called for clarity from the Scottish Government on how they were planning to support NHS Fife in dealing with the backlog caused by the outbreak.

Ms Smith said: "With all non-urgent operations having been postponed since the COVID-19 pandemic, a backlog of operations was going to be necessary in Fife.

“As we continue to see the easing of lockdown restrictions, we must now urgently see the Scottish Government lay out a plan to support NHS Fife in terms of dealing with the ever-growing backlog of operations."

Dr Christopher McKenna, NHS Fife medical director, stated the health board was aiming to maximise the capacity available safely once services resume.

He said: “In line with all other boards in Scotland, NHS Fife had to postpone all non-urgent operations as part of our response to managing the COVID-19 pandemic. Throughout lockdown, we have continued to carry out emergency, urgent and cancer operations.

"As we continue to see the easing of lockdown restrictions, we are now working to safely reinstate elective procedures and have been working proactively over recent months to ensure that we can maximise the capacity we have available once these services are resumed.

“Restart plans are already in place for a number of key specialities, with plans to be agreed for all remaining services in the coming weeks. Waiting lists are reviewed regularly by our clinical teams to ensure that as routine elective surgery restarts, the most clinically-urgent cases are prioritised.

“Patient safety remains our number one priority and we are currently putting additional infection and prevention measures in place to ensure the safety of staff and patients during any planned procedures.

“The team at NHS Fife have been working tirelessly throughout this pandemic and will continue to do so to ensure we deliver the safest and best possible care to the communities we serve across Fife.”