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

New group take over Park Road Medical Practice

MRM Healthcare LLP has formally taken over the running of Park Road Medical Practice in Rosyth (1 August).

The new contractor was appointed in April after the previous partners handed back the contract for the delivery of general medical services. MRM is a partnership of three GPs, all having extensive experience in delivery of general medical care across Scotland. In addition to running the practice, all three GPs will work clinically at Park Road alongside the existing team to deliver hands-on patient care.

NHS Fife will continue to be involved in supporting the new contractors in the initial months following the transition to ensure things go as seamlessly as possible.

NHS Fife 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 on the session will be made available at www.nhsfife.org/ar24.

Cabinet secretary visits Cameron Hospital

Balgonie ward at Cameron Hospital played host to a visit by Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care, Neil Gray MSP, last week.

Mr Gray wanted to hear about Fife’s integrated approach to discharge planning, which ensures people can be discharged from hospital in a timely manner after a stay in hospital. Working together through the Fife Health and Social Care Partnership, colleagues across NHS Fife, Fife Council, and the third and independent sectors have developed a Home First strategy.

Staff on Balgonie ward talked to Mr Gray about their work and emphasised the importance of collaboration across services to support discharge planning, and the difference a person-centred approach makes in ensuring patients are not unnecessarily delayed from returning home or to a homely setting.

Ward 6 refurbishment

Ward 6 at the Victoria Hospital has re-opened after undergoing an eight-week refurbishment project. The supported discharge unit has received a significant upgrade, designed to enhance the patient and staff experience. Key improvements include improved accessibility, enhanced comfort and privacy, and modernised facilities.

The upgrades were implemented following recommendations made during a recent inspection by Healthcare Improvement Scotland. The improvements aim to provide a more supportive and therapeutic environment for patients and a more functional workspace for staff.

UK’s largest research programme coming to Fife

The UK’s largest ever health research programme is coming to Dunfermline and Kirkcaldy.

Millions of people spend many years of their life in poor health, suffering from common diseases such as dementia, cancer, diabetes, heart disease and stroke. Our Future Health is sending invitations to people who live near the new clinics. However, anyone over the age of 18 can join by signing up online.

The programme's goal is to revolutionise the way we fight disease by collecting information from millions of volunteers across the UK. More information is available here.

Staff bereavement service nationally recognised

Our department of spiritual care has been awarded the Bereavement Charter Mark for Employers for their work supporting bereaved staff.

The charter mark demonstrates the hard work and care of everyone in the spiritual care team and the person-centred focussed support they provide for colleagues during extremely challenging times.

Vaccination

Students encouraged to ensure vaccinations up to date

Students across Fife are being encouraged to ensure their vaccinations are up to date before heading off to college or university this year. 

Infectious diseases such as meningitis, septicaemia (blood poisoning) and measles can spread easily in universities and colleges and vaccination offers the best protection. Students can find out their eligibility at www.nhsinform.scot/vaccinesforstudents. International students may also be able to get additional vaccines that were not available where they lived before. 

RSV vaccination

Two new Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) vaccination programmes are aiming to protect infants (through maternal vaccination) and older adults.

RSV is a common respiratory virus that usually causes mild, cold-like symptoms in adults and children, but the severity of illness developed can vary. RSV follows a seasonal pattern, typically starting in October, peaking in December, and declining by March. RSV contributes to pressure across our health and care services over the winter months.

  • Infants: Pregnant women at 28 weeks can receive a vaccine.
  • Older Adults (75+): Can get vaccinated between August and September.

More information is available here.