A GP has expressed “tremendous sadness” that north east Fife councillors turned down the construction of a new Madras College at Pipeland on the basis that it might have a detrimental impact on the care of patients at St Andrews Community Hospital.
Dr Jennifer Kennedy, of St Andrews, said patients in their final hours of life want to be surrounded by the “normal bustle of daily life rather than die in bleak isolation”.
She was therefore “puzzled” to read that one of the main reasons for councillors rejecting the Pipeland proposal was concern regarding patient care in the four hospice beds in the community hospital.
Dr Kennedy said: “Having worked in healthcare for almost 20 years, including experience working in oncology and palliative care settings, I can assure you that patients in their final hours of life want to be surrounded by the normal bustle of daily life rather than die in bleak isolation. It is for this very reason that 70% of the population want to die at home.
“Care for terminally ill patients at home is already delivered in our area by primary care teams, which consist of GPs and district nursing staff.
“Furthermore, if you are in touch with developments in healthcare in our area, you will know that NHS Fife are leading the way in hospital@home, a service led by consultants in elderly medicine and GPs and supported by a large team of experienced nursing staff.
“This service is active in north east Fife and works to care for patients, often with complex needs (including dying patients), in their own homes.
“North east Fife are not alone in delivering this service. This type of initiative is being developed throughout the UK in response to the changing face of healthcare.”
The Courier was also contacted by a nurse with responsibility for patients in the St Andrews hospice.She said it was “ludicrous” to suggest the school would impact on the care of patients.
She said the rooms face the opposite way to the proposed site and have double-glazed windows.
But others, including David Middleton, of the Central St Andrews Residents Alliance (CSARA), have backed those with concerns.
Reservations about the hospice were initially raised by Howe of Fife SNP councillor David MacDiarmid, who moved against the development. He was supported by East Neuk SNP councillor John Docherty, who until last year worked as a nurse within NHS Fife.
Mr Docherty said the main issue for him was the potential noise for hospice patients at St Andrews Community Hospital and the proximity of the proposed school to the peace garden.
He said the noise of children arriving, leaving, playing and the noise of period bells could all have a detrimental impact on patients.
He said: “We need to give them peace because one day, God forbid, we might need it.”
NHS Fife had objected to the proposed school on the grounds of access and possible disturbance. But councillors were told that in the days immediately prior to last week’s meeting, the NHS Fife objections had been withdrawn because issues had been “resolved”.
Councillors were told an objection from the hospital’s practice manager remained outstanding.