Clinics for children with renal problems have been set up in Fife, meaning youngsters no longer have to travel to Glasgow or Edinburgh to see a consultant.
The monthly clinics began in January and involve a consultant from Yorkhill Hospital in Glasgow working alongside renal doctors from Fife.
The move has been welcomed by Kirkcaldy MSP Marilyn Livingstone, who intervened after being approached by the parents of a child with kidney problems.
They were worried about the cost of regularly having to travel to Glasgow for outpatient clinics.
Mrs Livingstone wrote to consultants at Yorkhill and to the clinical director and directorate manager of NHS Fife, and after discussions between the two parties it was confirmed outreach clinics for local children would be offered once a month.
Patients whose diagnoses and investigations allow it will be seen in Fife, but there may still be a need for some patients to travel to Edinburgh or Glasgow for the specialist services available there.
Mrs Livingstone said, “I am pleased that some families in Fife with children with renal difficulties will no longer have to travel to Edinburgh or Glasgow for outpatient clinics.
“Having a child that is ill is a worrying and stressful time and the costs involved in travelling to Edinburgh or Glasgow add to this strain.
“I hope that in time all local families with children with renal problems can be seen in Fife when we have the specialist services to support this, but I am pleased that progress is being made and that fewer families will have to make such long and costly journeys during a difficult time.”
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