NHS Fife’s GP services are “very stretched”, its chief executive has admitted as the health board took crisis control of a practice in Methil.
It was one of four service outlets Kennoway, Benarty Medical Centre in Lochore and Dunfermline’s Linburn Road being the others to be highlighted by Paul Hawkins as suffering serious problems.
Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Willie Rennie accused Nicola Sturgeon’s Government of “napping” and living in “denial” about problems in the health service during Thursday’s First Minister’s Questions.
After the debate, the Mid Scotland and Fife MSP said: “Local doctors in Fife are under incredible strain. Many practices are in crisis.
“We need to know what Nicola Sturgeon is going to do to resolve the deep-rooted problems. The local community shouldn’t have to suffer because of the SNP’s complacency.”
Ms Sturgeon hit back by listing a number of initiatives being carried out by health secretary Shona Robison.
She added: “We are working closely and constructively with GPs to deal with recruitment challenges, to deal with the pressures that come from the changing demographics of our country, changing patterns of technology on how healthcare is delivered, to make sure that we have a system and model of primary care that is fit for practice, not just now but in the years that lie ahead.”
In a letter to local politicians, Mr Hawkins said added pressure came from people failing to attend appointments.
The correspondence also revealed a further nine practices Lomond, Ladybank, Newburgh, Rothes, Auchtermuchty, Cardenden, Burntisland, Cowdenbeath and Kelty were recording “difficulties in securing locum cover” despite recent staff appointments being made to ensure they have no vacancies.
Mr Hawkins wrote: “NHS Fife is aware that GP capacity is very stretched in many practices. This was the conclusion of the action plans practices produced earlier this year as part of their contractual requirements.
“The practices do, however, continue to review their access regularly in line with their action plans.”
Labour Mid Scotland and Fife representative Claire Baker said: “This crisis has been building for some time and questions must be asked as to why it was allowed to get to a situation where Cannons Surgery had to be taken over by NHS Fife.
“The Scottish Government must now get a grip on this growing crisis and ensure that the people in Methil and throughout Fife have full access to local GPs.”