During the initial phase of the COVID-19 pandemic, a network of temporary staff hubs was established in healthcare sites across Fife. These hubs helped to provide a calm and relaxing environment for staff to recharge, get refreshments and take breaks away from busy hospital wards and departments.
The wellbeing hub at the Victoria Hospital in Kirkcaldy was one of the first of its kind in Scotland and was initially housed within the Maggie’s Centre in the hospital grounds.
A new permanent wellbeing hub is now being created within the Staff Club in the grounds of the Victoria Hospital. This site has been chosen for its considerable size and due to its proximity to the hospital itself.
Architectural drawings have now been created for the new Hub and include a lounge area, a dining space, and a mezzanine level with an informal meeting space. Work on the Hub is planned to begin in early 2021 with completion due in the Autumn.
Around half of the funding for the project will come from the £500,000 anonymous donation received by the Charity in April 2020, with a further £100,000 pledged from existing endowment funds.
Plans are currently being developed to create permanent staff hubs in the other healthcare sites across Fife.
Chair of the Fife Health Board Endowment Fund Trustees, Tricia Marwick, said:
“This year has been a year like no other and staff working in our hospitals deserve immense credit for their efforts in the most challenging of circumstances.
“Healthcare staff across Fife have been working incredibly hard for many months to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic, and the Board of Trustees wanted to acknowledge the dedication they have shown over these months in the most trying of circumstances.
“The new support hub will not only provide welcome respite for healthcare staff, it will also serve as a lasting reminder of their incredible and heroic efforts in managing the most significant health emergency in a generation.
“Importantly, we expect to create similar hubs elsewhere in Fife to recognise the efforts of healthcare staff across the Kingdom.”
