Happy outcome on the horizon on health cover
From left, Tricia Marwick MSP, Lindsay Roy MP, Norma Wilson, head of corporate services NHS Fife and Professor Jim McGoldrick, chairman of NHS Fife.
POLITICIANS fighting to save the out-of-hours service at Glenrothes Hospital have expressed their satisfaction at the progress currently being made by NHS Fife on the evaluation.
MP Lindsay Roy and MSP Tricia Marwick met with NHS Fife Board chairman Professor Jim McGoldrick and head of corporate services Norma Wilson to hear how work on the various options for the service is progressing.
NHS Fife said last year it would be better to relocate the service to the Victoria Hospital in Kirkcaldy because of the adjacent access to facilities such as A & E, but campaigners led by the two politicians argue that it should remain at Glenrothes.
It was a move that drew widespread anger and resentment from residents across Glenrothes and the surrounding communities, with many community councils, local groups and activists coming together to fight the proposals.
The current out-of-hours service provides emergency cover for around 65,000 residents from the town and its surrounding areas.
Following a meeting in November, it was agreed that further detailed studies need to be carried out before any decision can be made.
This is likely to take several months and once the analysis is complete, a paper outlining the advantages and disadvantages of the various options will be produced and shared with the community.
The ‘Gazette’ understands that further discussion will then be held with the interested parties and a detailed report will go to the NHS Fife Board in August for a final decision.
The politicians were happy that progress was being made. Glenrothes and Central Fife MP Lindsay Roy said: “I am grateful to Professor McGoldrick and Norma Wilson for giving Tricia and myself an update and we are pleased that we have been able to make a positive input.
‘’Both of us have made a number of points which will be responded to and we are satisfied with the way things are progressing.
Tricia Marwick MSP added: ‘’It is clear that NHS Fife are now taking the concerns of local people seriously and will only make a final decision once all the evidence has been carefully considered.
‘’We feel that the timescale is appropriate and are happy with the structure and outline plan for the evaluation.’’
Professor McGoldrick acknowledged the feelings being showed by the public, he said: ‘’We fully recognise how important this issue is for the people of Glenrothes and surrounding communities and we are determined to get it right.
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Weather for Kirkcaldy
Thursday 20 June 2013
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