Queen's funeral: NHS Fife confirms arrangements for healthcare services

The day has been designated as a bank holiday as the state funeral of The Queen takes place.

Many organisations and businesses will be closing for the day as a mark of respect to the late monarch, who passed away last Thursday at Balmoral.

NHS Fife has now confirmed that measures are being put in place to enable vital healthcare services to continue, whilst allowing as many staff and patients as possible who wish to observe the day to do so.

The health board said: “In line with national guidance, we are working to ensure that scheduled activity and appointments are maintained wherever possible.”

GP surgeries in Fife will be closed on Monday, as will many dentists, opticians and pharmacies.

Anyone who requires these services urgently and cannot wait for these services to re-open on Tuesday should call NHS 24 on 111.

As with regular bank holidays, details of those pharmacies that will be open can be found on the NHS Fife website.

The health board said it is intended that as many elective surgery and outpatient appointments as possible will still go ahead unless patients are contacted directly to reschedule, or the patient wishes to reschedule due to the state funeral.

Anyone wishing to reschedule should do so using the contact details on their letter.

Appointments for the flu and Covid-19 vaccination programme will also go ahead as planned.

Appointments at Parkgate Community Centre on Monday are being moved to the Bruce Suite at Queen Margaret Hospital in Dunfermline as Fife Council buildings are closed.

The times of appointments will remain the same and letters are being sent to those affected.

Anyone who wishes to reschedule their vaccination appointment should call the national vaccination helpline on 0800 030 8013.

Full details on health service arrangements for the bank holiday can be found at www.nhsfife.org.