A FIFE MSP has said she will continue to push for an A&E facility in Dunfermline after slamming the latest waiting time statistics for the region.

In September, just 65 per cent of patients attending at the Victoria Hospital's A&E unit were seen within the Scottish Government's four hour target.

This compares to 72 per cent in August.

Mid Scotland and Fife Conservative MSP Roz McCall has expressed her "deep concern" at the monthly statistics which showed Fife was below the Scotland-wide figure of 70 per cent.

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She placed the blame for the "intolerable delays" at the door of the Scottish Government, who she said were still refusing to re-open the A&E department at Queen Margaret Hospital.

Dunfermline Press:

“The latest A&E monthly waiting times in Fife paint a truly terrifying picture," she said. "Despite the best efforts of frontline NHS staff, more and more patients are suffering intolerable waits at A&E. We know that these lead to needless, excess deaths.

“The people of Dunfermline deserve an accident and emergency department. This would also relieve pressure from the Victoria Hospital which is clearly struggling as a result of the SNP’s dire workforce planning.

“Alongside my Scottish Conservative colleagues in Fife Council, I will continue to push the government to take action on this issue.”

Dunfermline North councillor Gavin Ellis, who has long raised concerns and questions over A&E provision for South and West Fife, added: “It’s clear these waiting time figures show the centralisation of acute care in Kirkcaldy is not viable long term, yet we see NHS Fife doubling down on their stand against returning acute services and maternity to the Queen Margaret.

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"Populations change and so do political leaderships, the SNP government and NHS Fife have failed in workforce planning and that must change.”

However, as reported in the Press last week, NHS Fife medical director Chris McKenna ruled out the possibility of an A&E facility returning to the Queen Margaret Hospital.

“A&E departments are the front door of an acute hospital and supported by many other specialties," he said. "You can’t run an A&E without all of those support services around you because you won’t be able to safely look after patients.

“Decisions were taken a number of years ago to create a single acute hospital in Fife – which is the Victoria Hospital in Kirkcaldy. That’s where we have to deliver acute care.”

A petition with 20,000 signatures called for A&E to return but NHS Fife have remained resolute since the decision was taken.

Dr McKenna added: “While we aren’t able to provide an A&E department at Queen Margaret there are many things we can do to ensure our urgent care services meet the needs of many people.”