'Hands off our services' warning as councillors bid to halt closure of end of life unit at Fife hospital

Councillors have stepped into a controversial bid to close a Fife hospital unit.

They are to write to Fife Health & Social Integrated Joint Board to make the closure of the Wellesley Unit for end of life care at Randolph Wemyss Memorial Hospital a temporary move – rather than permanent.

The ten-bedded unit in Methil provides end of life care, transitional care for patients delayed in hospital awaiting social care and those with complex needs

The original decision sparked a backlash in the community.

It was taken on the grounds that there was no responsible medical officer available to oversee the ward.

Local councillors, David Graham and Jan Wincott (Lab) both raised concerns over the lack of consultation, and said the ward should be temporarily closed.

Cllr Ryan Smart (Buckhaven, Methil and Wemyss Villages, Labour) said that the proposed permanent closure was “devastating for our local community which had been left feeling let down especially when no warning was given.”

A petition opposing the move received 1800 signatures ahead of yesterday’s full meeting of Fife Council.

Cllr Smart said: “I understand that if there was no current medical officer to cover the NHS Fife and the Health and Social Care partnership ward, then they were right to close the ward – but surely this could have been done temporarily?

“My community is demanding that the decision be looked at again, and a clear plan be brought back to the community with consultation taking place.”

He was backed by Cllr Helen Law (Dunfermline North, Lab) who said: “I believe end of life care is a fundamental right in any decent society.

“Not everyone can be looked after at home as much as we want them to be.

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“Local end of life care should be made available to everyone who needs it and there should be further discussions around a new medical officer and survival of the Wellesley unit.

“Can a message go out from this virtual chamber to the Health and Social Care Partnership? Hands off our local services!”

Councillors unanimously agreed to push to change the status to temporarily closed.

Hannah Brown is the Local Democracy Reporter for Fife & Angus

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