Fife's major accident and emergency change starts on Thursday
Accident and emergency services based at Queen Margaret Hospital in Dunfermline will make the switch to the new wing at Victoria on Thursday morning.
- Published in the Courier : 18.01.12
- Published online : 18.01.12 @ 11.39am
From 8am, all Fife A&E services will operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week, from the £170 million new wing, in a move which has been well-documented over the last year or so.
NHS Fife says a 24-hour minor injuries service will continue to operate at QMH following the move, providing treatment for a range of less serious injuries.
Dr Colin Dewar, clinical lead for emergency medicine, suggested the vast majority of patients should not be affected by any change, as thousands of people who attend A&E each year can be treated at their minor injuries service.
''With regard to the moves, it is very much business as usual. If a person has, or is suspected of having, a life-threatening emergency, 999 should be dialled and the patient will be transported to their local major emergency department,'' he said.
''Those patients who have minor injuries should attend their local minor injuries service, as normal.''
Minor injuries departments can treat injuries including simple fractures; back, shoulder and rib injuries; ankle, knee and wrist sprains; minor head and neck injuries; cuts and grazes; minor burns etc.
As well as the new A&E at the Victoria and the minor injuries unit at QMH, patients can also be treated for minor injuries at the Adamson Hospital in Cupar and St Andrews Community Hospital.
02.49pm - 18.01.2012 Ian - Perth, UK Report This
Can someone please explain to the bamboozled residents in Fife exactly why there shouldn't be A&E facilities available 24/7 at BOTH hospitals?
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