Last-ditch attempt to save out-of-hours GP service in St Andrews

Community group’s request could postpone decision

A Fife community has launched an 11th hour bid to halt the closure of its local out-of-hours GP service.

In what is believed to be a first for the region, St Andrews Community Council has invoked the Community Empowerment Act by submitting a formal participation request to ensure they can contribute to the redesign of services at the town’s hospital.

The request, submitted to Fife Council and NHS Fife, could force Fife Health and Social Care Partnership (FHSCP) to postpone the decision due to be taken on December 20.

The partnership, made up of members from the local authority and the NHS, has proposed closing out-ofhours services in St Andrews, Glenrothes and possibly Dunfermline and centralising them either in Kirkcaldy only, or in Kirkcaldy and Dunfermline.

They say a lack of GPs available to operate the evening and overnight service means it is impossible to retain four centres.

The participation request was PENELOPE FRASER submitted on behalf of the Out Of Hours Group, a number of community councils, GPs and individuals, including St Andrews University student representatives, who are campaigning to keep services local.

Penelope Fraser, vice-chairwoman of St Andrews Community Council, said: “As the people of north-east Fife feel strongly that there is a continuing need for an out-of-hours service and minor injuries unit based at St Andrews Community Hospital and there are major safety issues which have not been addressed, the Out Of Hours Group acting on behalf of the people of northeast Fife would like to challenge the decision to close them.

“They also wish to start a dialogue with the FHSCP about the retention of these services. This will give them a way of being involved in the decision-making process and contributing their ideas for change and improvement in the redesign of the services.”

Out Of Hours Group chairwoman Dr Angela Anderson said the recent consultation had been designed without the input of frontline out-of-hours staff and had not proposed any kind of evening and weekend GP service on the assumption it could not be staffed.

“The partnership’s proposals ignored the geographical and transport challenges for people in St Andrews and the East Neuk, which represent a unique risk factor for delays to assessment and access to care,” she said.

The Out Of Hours Group acting on behalf of the people of north-east Fife would like to challenge the decision.