![Scottish Labour Leader Wendy Alexander MSP, was at Carnegie College, Rosyth campus, to launch Apprenticeships [Scotland] Bill at the college's School of Engineering and Technology. Wendy is pictured with Electrical Engineering students Scott Brown [left] 19 from Rosyth, and Lyall Hunter [19] from Kinglassie. Also pictured is Fife MSP John Park, [2nd right].](https://wpcluster.dctdigital.com/thecourier/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2016/04/image.jpg1_.6107.jpg)
Mid Scotland and Fife MSP John Park has criticised the NHS over its treatment of hospital staff.
He said staff were treated as “an afterthought” and had to learn of decisions over cuts through the media.
The Labour politician has written to health secretary Nicola Sturgeon, voicing staff concerns over their treatment during budget discussions.
He was contacted by NHS Fife staff who expressed “understandable” alarm about the decisions by a finance and resource committee to make savings on both care and jobs, with staff finding out about proposals via newspapers.
“It is obviously concerning that staff are made aware of such issues through newspaper reports and I understand on this occasion there was no update given to staff ahead of proposals being made public,” he said.
“Staff need reassurance that decisions which are likely to affect them and the tireless services they provide are not taken with them only as an afterthought.
“It is simply not acceptable to keep staff in the dark when proposing to make such significant changes to care and staffing levels.”
Mr Park implored Ms Sturgeon to provide him with assurances that staff in NHS health boards who are working closely in areas which could be affected by proposed changes through ward closures, budget cuts or redundancies were consulted and informed of decisions through the appropriate channels.
He asked NHS Fife chief executive George Brechin, “I do appreciate the difficulties that may arise with keeping staff informed before proposals go in front of the board meeting, but wonder whether ways of keeping staff consulted were considered?
“If not, I am concerned that this could be viewed as a conscious decision by the senior management in NHS Fife not to consult staff before discussing these potential changes.”
A spokeswoman for NHS Fife replied that the board complied with the NHS Scotland staff governance standard.
“The board financial position has been discussed in detail with trade unions and professional bodies on the NHS Fife staff side, with the employee director playing a full part in discussions leading to the board’s decision on its 2011/2012 budget,” she said.
“There will be detailed involvement and consultation with staff affected and their representatives.”