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Jim Tolson - Press Release
Contact Details: Josh Green 020 7219 5054/07879003467
Embargo: Immediate, 26 January, 2007
NHS Fife challenged to bring forward new services for Queen Margaret
Lib Dems in West Fife have challenged NHS Fife to bring forward plans for the new maternity unit, diagnostic and treatment centre and minor injuries unit at Queen Margaret Hospital in Dunfermline.
Dunfermline West Scottish Parliament Spokesman Jim Tolson and MP Willie Rennie want NHS chiefs to bring forward the introduction of the new services to help restore confidence in NHS Fife and to ensure Dunfermline benefits from the investment as soon as possible. The works for the new services at Dunfermline are due to be undertaken between 2010 – 2013 with the new facilities at Kirkcaldy due to be completed by 2010.
Willie Rennie said:
“Confidence in NHS Fife chiefs amongst West Fifers is low,” said Jim Tolson. We have been promised a state of the art diagnostic and treatment centre, a new mid wide led maternity unit and a nurse led minor injuries unit. Apparently 80% of Fife’s day case surgery will be provided by Queen Margaret Hospital. These new services may go some way to assuage the concerns of local people. However, to wait three years after the work at Kirkcaldy is complete is far too long to wait before these new services are introduced in Dunfermline. The completion date for the work needs to be brought forward.”
Willie Rennie continued:
“There is a considerable amount of distrust between local people and NHS Fife after the debacle over where in-patient and trauma services should be located in Fife. People still feel badly let down.
“I am concerned that the new Maternity Unit and Diagnostic and Treatment Centre will not be delivered for up to three years after the existing services at the hospital disappear to Kirkcaldy. I understand that finances may be tight and these issues are often complex but I want everything that can be done to bring forward the works to be done.”
Willie Rennie and Jim Tolson have written to NHS Fife Chairman, Jim McGoldrick to request that the work be brought forward.
ENDS