Concern temporary out-of-hours withdrawal will turn permanent

Glenrothes councillors have highlighted their concerns that the withdrawal of overnight out-of-hours services from the town’s hospital could be a done deal.

Labour members held talks with Fife Council’s health and social care director Michael Kellet and his staff to discuss the decision to temporarily suspend the overnight out-ofhours service at Glenrothes and ask patients to travel to Kirkcaldy instead.

The group say they have reservations that what has been billed as a short-term arrangement for just three months may not turn out that way.

“The short notice of the withdrawal of the service has caused many residents to think this is another attempt to close the service by the back door,” said Councillor Altany Craik.

“I sought assurances that every effort was being made to recruit the GP and nursing staff needed to resume the service at the end of the three-month period. I was given assurances that this was the case but not that it would necessarily be successful. I am very concerned at that lack of guarantee.”

Mr Craik called for an update to be brought to the Glenrothes area committee on May 2, adding: “There can be no doubt this issue has great local significance and our residents expect us to hold the health and social care partnership to account.”

Mr Kellet said action had been taken to ensure a “clinically safe and sustainable” service for the next few months.

“We will continue to develop our plans for the longer-term measures for urgent care,” he added.

“We will consult the public on those longer term plans before any permanent decisions are made.”