TV Doc comes back to Fife hospital where it all started

The former British Army Captain, who currently splits her time between the emergency department at Bangor hospital in north Wales and her television and investigative journalism career, was back in Kirkcaldy to see the innovations and approaches to problem-solving taking place at the site.

Dr Ahsan, who trained in Kirkcaldy and Dundee, told the Fife Free Press she was “greatly impressed” by the hospital’s approach, adding that she felt there was a different culture and mentality in the Scottish healthcare system to that in England.

“Dundee was very innovative in the way it trained me and today in Kirkcaldy I’ve seen more of that innovation,” she said.

“There is a collaboration between different sections of the NHS here, where it is more disjointed in England with people working in isolation.

“Leadership has a strong part to play in this.”

Dr Ahsan added that she had moved from London to Wales so she did not have to work under Health Minister Jeremy Hunt, primarily because of his bitter dispute with junior doctors.

She also hinted at the possibility of coming back to Scotland to continue her medical career.

“There’s a more progressive approach to healthcare in Scotland, which is something I find attractive,” she explained. “I’d like to come back here to work.”

Dr Ahsan was accompanied by Shona Robison, Scottish Health Secretary, as well as Kirkcaldy politicians Roger Mullen MP and David Torrance MSP, on a tour of the hospital’s A&E and Minor Injuries Unit and met Emergency Care Ambulatory Service staff.

“It was fantastic to hear from the staff at Victoria Hospital about how they are working to improve care for patients across the hospital and continuing to be at the forefront of innovation, particularly around frailty and front door assessment,”said the health secretary.

Mr Mullen echoed the praise for hospital staff.

He said: “It was a real pleasure to meet with Dr Ahsan and of course the team at the Victoria. I was deeply impressed by the work being done in such areas as screening for frailty when patients are admitted. I would like to pay tribute to the vital contributions made by the vast range of staff who keep the hospital running, from doctors, nurses and paramedics to administrative staff, support workers and many others.”

Mr Torrance added: “I thoroughly enjoyed the visit from Dr Ahsan and I always enjoy seeing the excellent work done by the staff at the Victoria Hospital. They are leading the way in healthcare.”