Board papers and statistics
NHS Fife Board: Papers from the latest Board meeting on Tuesday 30 July can be viewed here. The next meeting takes place on Wednesday 25 September.
Performance: Information on key performance data, including A&E, cancelled operations, delayed discharges, and diagnostic waiting times. The latest information can be viewed here.
Workforce: Statistics on staffing and vacancies are published quarterly by NHS Education for Scotland. The latest publication can be viewed here.
Main updates
Elected member correspondence delays
Some elected members have raised their frustrations around the amount of time that is taking for us to respond to patient complaints or other correspondence. We recognise the urgency in addressing concerns raised by elected members on behalf of their constituents and we are committed to improvements in this area.
In recent months we have recorded a reduction of over 60% in open Stage 2 complaints (those that require escalation for more in-depth investigation) compared to last year. This improvement is down to several factors including increased staffing within our patient experience team and making our complaint pathways more efficient.
Whilst this is no consolation to the constituents who are awaiting a response through your offices, I hope you will agree this reflects our ongoing commitment to improving the overall complaints management process.
To help us expedite correspondence relating to constituents, we would encourage members to continue to contact the chief executive’s office via the dedicated email address and clearly mark the email as a ‘concern’ or ‘complaint’.
Dental services update
NHS Fife is acutely aware of the challenges facing dental care in the region. The closure of multiple dental practices by corporate providers such as Clyde Munro and Real Good Dental has significantly reduced NHS dental availability. This has been primarily driven by workforce shortages, resulting in a substantial number of patients being deregistered.
While NHS Fife does not have a statutory obligation to provide dental services, we are committed to working collaboratively with local practices to improve access to NHS dental care within our remit.
To address the growing challenge, we have identified the areas experiencing the most significant impact, as well as regions with planned housing developments. We have proposed these areas for inclusion in the Scottish Dental Access Initiative to attract new dentists.
In addition to our ongoing engagement with the Scottish Government on the broader workforce challenges, we are implementing several strategies to support oral health in Fife. These include expanding oral health programs for vulnerable populations, exploring the potential of a mobile dental unit, and enhancing the visibility of our Public Dental Service through social media.
Despite the complexities of the situation, NHS Fife remains dedicated to managing the impact of declining NHS dental provision and improving access to care for our communities.
Labour Hopscotch helping women through labour and birth
A new initiative designed to empower women and their birth partners during the labour and birth process has been launched in NHS Fife.
Labour Hopscotch empowers women and their partners through a series of guided exercises, relaxation techniques, and coping strategies. Colourful stations resembling a hopscotch board are located across the maternity unit in the Victoria Hospital, each representing activities designed to help improve the birthing experience. More information is available here.
Annual Review 2024
NHS Fife’s Annual Review will take place on Monday 30 September within the Victoria Hospital’s Education Centre.
The agenda of the review is set by Scottish Government and based around national standards and local performance. It will also include a session from 2pm – 3pm where members of the public can ask questions. More information is available here.
BBC feature on chronic pain management
Our ‘Pain Talking’ campaign was given prominent coverage by the BBC this week. Chronic or persistent pain affects around a third of people in Fife and can have a significant impact on quality of life.
Pain Talking is designed to improve safety, help people live better, and empower them to take greater control of how they manage pain. More information is available here.