Fife’s overnight GP services will be centralised in Kirkcaldy for at least another six months, it has been confirmed.
An ongoing shortage of nurses and doctors means emergency contingency measures imposed last April, initially for three months, will continue at least until the end of August.
The news has been met with dismay by politicians who are angry at the ongoing disruption and inconvenience for patients in other parts of Fife.
The measures mean for the last 10 months out-of-hours services at Glenrothes, St Andrews and Queen Margaret hospitals have been suspended between midnight and 8am, with GPs working only from Kirkcaldy during these times.
Out-of-hours cover remains open at all four sites from 6pm to midnight on weekdays and 8am to midnight at weekends.
North East Fife Liberal Democrat MSP Willie Rennie described the latest announcement by Fife Health and Social Care Partnership as hugely disappointing.
“The recruitment challenges need to be addressed and we need to see a swift solution for a primary care emergency service that can work for everyone in north east Fife too,” he said.
Shirley-Anne Somerville, SNP MSP for Dufermline and West Fife, said she was concerned by the news.
“Since April last year, Dunfermline and west Fife residents who need to access these services have had to travel all the way to Kirkcaldy, often at their own expense,” she said.
“This is simply unacceptable.
“The contingency measures need to be reversed as soon as possible and services restored and improved at the Queen Margaret.
“And in the meantime, transport to Kirkcaldy should be covered by the health and social care partnership.”
Ms Somerville said she would continue to press the partnership for further action to address the staffing issue.
A decision on the long-term future of the service has yet to be taken after communities objected to proposals to permanently close the bases at St Andrews and Glenrothes.
Fife Health and Social Care director Michael Kellet said the decision to continue with the measures in the meantime had been taken to ensure patient safety.
“Our patients are our main priority, keeping them safe and providing a quality service,” he said.
“To ensure this happens we need to extend contingency measures for out-of-hours care for a further six months.
“Staff shortages continues to be the biggest challenge.”
Mr Kellet added: “Recruitment of GPs and nursing staff remains a focus for us and feedback from the recent Joining Up Care consultation will help to inform how we move this forward.”
