New £33m orthopaedic unit set to be approved for Kirkcaldy's Victoria Hospital

The three-storey facility at Kirkcaldy’s Victoria Hospital will make Fife the first NHS region in Scotland to carry out hip and knee replacements as day cases not requiring overnight stays.

It will include three operating theatres and a 33-bed supporting ward, and will be built on the land currently used as Car Park H with more spaces being created elsewhere across the hospital estate to make up the shortfall.

The business case was approved by health bosses at the end of November. Fife’s Central and West Planning Committee is expected to review and formally approve the planning application for the facility on Wednesday afternoon.

A report prepared for the committee by council planner Bryan Reid recommends that the facility be permitted with 11 conditions attached to control development.

In his paper, Mr Reid detailed that the development met all of Fife Council’s criteria for building quality, flood protection, green space and impacts on the local transport network.

However, he has recommended that the NHS keep Fife Council up-to-date on its plans for the hospital’s existing orthopaedic unit, which will be vacated when the new unit is complete.

Mr Reid has also advised that, despite the loss of parking spaces, Fife Council will not be extending its residents parking scheme for those living in the immediate area of Victoria Hospital. The scheme was introduced to reduce overspill of parking into nearby residential streets.

Mr Reid wrote: “The proposed Orthopaedic Elective Care Centre building, through its simple block form, massing, use of material, active frontages and landscaping, would be a welcomed addition to the hospital complex.”