Health secretary’s offer of meeting to discuss concerns

In response to Mr Dunsire’s concerns, Health Secretary Shona Robison said: “It is right that NHS Fife have apologised to Mr Dunsire and they have sought to assure me that they are already taking action to improve care for other patients in light of this.

“I would be happy to meet with Mr Dunsire to discuss his concerns.”

Ms Robison’s department has also been in touch with Mr Dunsire to explain that the threeyear limit on taking legal action is not absolute, with the law making provision for exceptional cases when the court may exercise discretion in allowing claims to proceed.

It is also understood a new statutory Organisational Duty of Candour will come into force in Scotland in April 2018, making it a legal requirement for all care providers, including NHS boards, to review certain types of adverse events, meet personally with those affected and to publish an annual report.

Helen Wright, NHS Fife’s director of nursing, said: “This particular complaint was highly complex and required to be thoroughly investigated, meaning it took some time to complete.

“The complaint was also later considered by the Scottish Public Service Ombudsman (SPSO), who reported their findings in October 2016.

“The board subsequently wrote to Mr Dunsire to apologise directly and inform him of the steps taken to meet the SPSO’s recommendations.

“It is deeply regrettable that despite the lengthy process, which included a number of detailed responses and meetings with NHS Fife over a five year period, Mr Dunsire has not yet been able to reach satisfactory closure.

“NHS Fife has been in recent dialogue with Mr Dunsire.

“However, I am satisfied that as a board we have taken all reasonable steps to try to address, and indeed act upon, all of the concerns raised in as frank a manner as possible.”