Health chiefs in Fife have paid tribute to staff across NHS Fife who have kept vital services running despite freezing temperatures and several feet of snow.
NHS Fife chair Tricia Marwick and chief executive Paul Hawkins hailed the actions of staff in both acute and community who have worked longer hours, while others have stayed overnight in temporary accommodation or with family and friends to ensure they were available for duty.
Employees and the wider public have offered spare rooms, and shared 4×4 vehicles to get into work in extremely difficult driving conditions, whilst others have walked considerable distances.
All outpatient appointments have been cancelled for both Thursday and Friday, while all planned elective surgery has also been cancelled on Thursday for most patients.
The intention is to continue with a small programme of elective surgery on Friday, but that may too be reviewed.
Mr Hawkins, along with Jann Gardner, director of planning and strategic partnerships, and medical director Dr France Elliot visited a number of areas in Kirkcaldy’s Victoria Hospital to thank staff for their efforts.
Mr Hawkins said: “We are very proud and grateful to our staff who have made every effort to get into work in difficult circumstances and to those who have stayed overnight.
“Everyone has shown great resilience and rallied around to provide support.
“Thanks to the magnificent response from all our staff the NHS services which Fifers rely on have been able to cope as well as they have.”
NHS Fife has also appealed to staff members who have 4×4 vehicles who can assist.