Breakthrough in talks to secure future of palliative care in Fife.

Marie Curie to work closely with Fife’s Health and Social Care Partnership

Marie Curie has agreed to work closely with Fife’s Health and Social Care Partnership in a bid to ensure palliative care continues in the region.

The charity announced last week it was stopping its end-of-life services across Fife at the end of May amid fears the rates being offered in a new contract would not allow it to deliver the same level of care.

It warned more people would be at risk of dying in hospital rather than at home as a result.

But following crunch talks, both sides have said there is a clear commitment to maintaining services.

Another meeting in April will establish how Marie Curie and Fife HSCP, as well as others, can “co-design” the service to ensure it is sustainable.

The outcome has been hailed as a positive first step by politicians who had feared vital services were being eroded by budget cuts.

Eamon O’Kane, Marie Curie divisional general manager for Scotland, said discussions had been constructive.

“There is a clear commitment on all sides to maintaining a collaborative approach that supports patients and families in Fife,” he said.

“We all want to ensure the provision of services that are able to adapt to future need as we know more people will need palliative and end-of-life care.

“We look forward to the April workshop to agree a positive and sustainable future for palliative care in Fife.”

Claire Dobson, Fife HSCP general manager, said it was hoped ongoing discussions would result in an agreement by the end of April.

“We have agreed, in principle, that we will work closely with Marie Curie in the years ahead,” she said.

Mid Scotland and Fife Labour MSP Alex Rowley said Marie Curie would not be tendering for the services, as has previously been the case, but was instead aiming to work in partnership with the health and social care partnership.

“This is, in my view, a positive step in the right direction and I want to thank everyone who has spoken up in support of the excellent services Marie Curie provides in Fife,” he said.

Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Willie Rennie said he had received reports from GPs, nurses and families about the value of the service and the need for it to continue.

“The workshop to be held between the charity and the partnership will be an opportunity to map out a longer term vision for the service,” he said.

We all want to ensure the provision of services that are able to adapt to future need as we know more people will need palliative and end-oflife care. EAMON O’KANE