A petition demanding a health service that is fit for Fife is to be launched in the kingdom this weekend.
Fife MSP Alex Rowley is spearheading a campaign calling for an urgent independent review of NHS Fife, following a catalogue of complaints and problems.
The launch follows frank, face-to-face talks between Mr Rowley and Health Secretary Alex Neil in which Mr Neil said no inquiry was needed.
The Cowdenbeath MSP is now urging as many Fifers as possible to sign the Labour Party’s petition, in the hope people power will prompt a change of heart.
Mr Rowley, pictured, said: “Mr Neil stated he did not support an independent review on the grounds that he is well aware of what the problems are.
“He did not offer any detailed solutions, gave no indication of timescales for addressing the problems and, crucially, did not acknowledge the funding problems for both hospital and community care.”
NHS Fife has been battling a barrage of criticism this year following revelations of staff shortages, soaring waiting times, an increase in delayed discharges and an “unacceptably high” number of patients being boarded in wards not designed for their condition.
Despite a recruitment drive, the service still has 38 consultant vacancies and is short of around 100 nurses.
Mr Rowley drew of all this to Mr Neil’s attention and pointed to the level of complaints from under-pressure staff about staff shortages and a community care service creaking at the seams.
“I am sure Mr Neil knows what the problems are but we are not getting the answers or solutions and as we move into winter, these problems are likely to get worse,” he said.
“This is why we need an independent review that will set out very clearly what the health needs are, what the priorities are and what additional money will be needed.”
The Courier asked Mr Neil why he felt a review was uneccessary and whether the problems experienced by NHS Fife were particular to it or were part of a national picture.
We also asked whether the crisis had been caused by a lack of Scottish Government funding, a local management failure or some other issue.
He did not answer the questions directly but did say that protecting frontline health services was an absolute priority for the government.
“NHS Fife will receive £557 million resource funding in 2014/15; an increase of more than £18 million or 3.3% on last year,” he said.
“NHS Fife has also seen a 5.2% increase in staff since 2006, including 16.5% more medical staff, 16.8% more allied health professionals, and 3.2% more nurses and midwives.
“However, it is noted some consultant vacancies remain and NHS Fife is actively engaged in a wide-reaching recruitment campaign to fill these posts.”
Mr Neil added: “The performance of health boards is monitored on an ongoing basis and robust procedures are in place to ensure any concerns raised are addressed as quickly as possible.
“The Scottish Government will continue to work closely with the board to support service improvements, to ensure the highest standards of patient care are achieved.”
Mr Rowley said the Health Secretary’s response demonstrated a failure to grasp the issues in Fife. “It highlights, for me, why we need an independent review because he is not acknowledging the major issues facing acute and social care.”