This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Fife NHS plans given go-ahead
17/12/2002
A modernisation plan for health services in Fife was given the go-ahead today.
The Right for Fife proposals will mean investment and modernisation of health services at the two main hospitals sites in Dunfermline and Kirkcaldy.
Health Minister Malcolm Chisholm said that further work was needed on detailed plans for Queen Margaret Hospital. He has requested that a group involving local people be set up for that purpose
The proposals involve six services - GP and community services, services for children, services for older people, general hospital and maternity services, services for people with learning disabilities and, services for people with mental; health problems.
Both hospital sites will provide day surgery, outpatient clinics, rehabilitation services, 24-hour minor injury units, midwife led care and state of the art diagnostic facilities.
In Dunfermline, the Queen Margaret Hospital will have non-specialist acute inpatient beds with all existing operating theatres being utilised and no wasted space. The hospital will provide services like a Minor Injuries Unit, One-Stop outpatient clinics for investigation and treatment and specialist consultants' services across the acute spectrum.
NHS Fife plans that the Victoria Hospital, Kirkcaldy will provide specialist in-patient and trauma services supported by critical care. This will allow Fife to develop services where currently patients have to travel to Dundee and Edinburgh for treatment.
Health Minister Malcolm Chisholm said:
"I believe these proposals will provide high quality, modern healthcare for the people of Fife.
"I welcome their approach in 'Right for Fife' and how it has sought to engage actively with the public, patients and staff on these proposals. I have also met a number of MSPs and delegations to discuss these proposals.
"I welcome the Board's proposal to provide a comprehensive range of services and to maintain a comprehensive range of services for patients in both Dunfermline and Kirkcaldy. Both will continue to deliver outpatient care, day surgery services, 24-hour local emergency units and midwife led units.
"I am also pleased at NHS Fife's commitment not only in retaining QMH but its proposals to deliver a range of services vital to the overall high standards of health care expected and planned for Fife in future.
"However, as the Board moves to Business Case it has two important issues to address. The Board will have to ensure that they represent best value for the people of Fife and that effective linkages will be made between primary and secondary care to create fully integrated services.
"Secondly, it will also be important that it sets out plans for the full range of services that will be provided at QMH. I have impressed to the Board the need for them to involve the local population in drawing up these detailed plans. I have asked that they establish a group with local representation to carry that forward. I have asked to see the detailed plans for QMH services following that public involvement."
The purpose of Right for Fife was to develop coherent and integrated strategies of six services or care areas together with the production of a supporting financial investment strategy and subsequent business case to support any major capital investment.
During the consultation process NHS Fife considered a range of relevant information including demand patterns, future demographic trends, likely factors influencing service provision in the future and public transport patterns. All this was made available to the public.
As well as the services listed above QMH will provide: pre-operative assessments, surgical day-care and short stay, GP direct access to fully comprehensive imaging services, outpatient and day care antenatal services, chronic pain services and paediatric day care.
Kirkcaldy, as the preferred site for specialist inpatient services means that such services as catheterisation, stenting and angiography will be provided at the hospital.