Call to preserve out-of-hours services at Fife hospital.

MSP’s demand to bosses amid fears over the future of out-of-hours urgent care at Queen Margaret Hospital

Health chiefs must give a firm commitment to the future of out-of-hours emergency services at Queen Margaret Hospital, an MSP has demanded.

Shirley-Anne Somerville has called on Fife Health and Social Care Partnership to listen to people in West Fife who have had their say on its consultation on the future of services across the region this summer.

One of the options under consideration in the consultation document could see out-of-hours GP services delivered solely from Victoria Hospital in Kirkcaldy from midnight to 8am.

West Fifers have voiced strong objections to the proposals to reduce services at Queen Margaret.

Ms Somerville, the SNP MSP for Dunfermline, is calling on the partnership to assure services at the town’s hospital will be maintained.

“It would be absolutely unacceptable for the services at the Queen Margaret to be reduced in any way,” she said.

“With a growing population in Dunfermline and west Fife, we will inevitably see a rise in the need for effective out-of-hours services at the Queen Margaret Hospital site.

“Since the closure of the A&E at Queen Margaret Hospital in 2012, promises have been made to residents in west Fife that services operated from Queen Margaret would not be further reduced.

“This consultation has the option to ensure the site is protected and enhanced long term.”

Ms Somerville said locals had “spoken with one voice”, making it clear cuts to services would be unwelcome.

She added: “It’s time for Fife Health and Social Care Partnership to listen to the objections highlighted by local people and make a firm commitment to maintaining services at the hospital.”

The partnership’s general manager for the west, Claire Dobson, said: “The partnership is determined to find the best possible solution for out of hours urgent care for the communities of Fife, including Dunfermline and West Fife, but it is clear that the current service is unsustainable.

“The consultation has now closed and over the coming months we will be analysing all the feedback from the questionnaires received and from the consultation workshops.

“This information will be brought together in a report available mid-December and at this point we will have a better understanding on the strength of feeling from the community to inform decisions on the best way forward.”

It’s time for Fife Health and Social Care Partnership to listen to the objections highlighted by local people. SHIRLEY-ANNE SOMERVILLE