D-Day for the closure-threatened out-of-hours GP service in Glenrothes is to be delayed after senior ministers demanded a chance to have the final say.
The board of NHS Fife is expected to approve the controversial proposal to close the service when it meets this morning, despite last-minute calls for a rethink.
However, it was revealed yesterday that the decision made by the board would be called in by health secretary Alex Neil, who will have the final say.
The health secretary intervened following a meeting with Glenrothes MP Lindsay Roy and local MSP Tricia Marwick.
Mr Neil agreed with the politicians that the move amounted to a major change to the Primary Care Emergency Service, and not a minor change as stated in the report to the board.
Local politicians and community groups have joined in wide condemnation of the loss of what they say is a vital service for the area.
Councillor Ian Sloan warned NHS Fife that public confidence could be lost if the board went ahead with the closure.
If approved, it would see the out of hours service moved to Victoria Hospital in Kirkcaldy. NHS Fife said the move was justified because it would relocate GP provision alongside other facilities including accident and emergency at Victoria.
See full coverage of the decision in Wednesday’s Courier