Accountability fears as NHS Fife review to be held in private

People are being denied a chance to directly quiz the cabinet minister responsible for Scotland’s health service.

Previously annual reviews of the performance of NHS boards included a public event in which people could pose questions.

However, Health Secretary Jeanne Freeman is chairing this year’s reviews in private and will be absent from public sessions.

She chaired NHS Fife’s review last Monday and the open review meeting will be held on February 15.

There was confusion when NHS Fife said the Scottish Government was behind the change of format but it said this was not the case.

However, it emerged government guidance issued to health boards stated “ministers will not be holding a public session/Q&A as part of this season of reviews”.

Private sessions involve only the chairperson and chief executive.

Mid Scotland and Fife Labour MSP Alex Rowley said it made the process less accountable.

He said: “It is important that government ministers come to Fife and that the public have the chance to question ministers.

“It is good practice that the health secretary holds a public review of how the board has performed. It is custom and it gives an opportunity for issues to be raised directly with the minister.

“This brings transparency and it’s a shame if that is going to be lost.”

A Scottish Government spokesperson said: “There is no change to the core purpose of annual reviews, which is to hold NHS boards to account.

“In terms of format, ministers will continue to have separate meetings with the area clinical forum, area partnership forum and local patients on the mornings of ministerial reviews.

“In addition, we expect boards to hold public Q&A sessions as part of this season of reviews.”

As well as reviewing achievements, challenges and performance of boards, the guidance says private review sessions should focus on accountability, communications and engaging local communities.