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.