Assurances have been given that a new low-security unit opening on Monday at Stratheden Hospital near Cupar will not be used to accommodate patient overspill from the State Hospital at Carstairs.
Residents in the Springfield area have noted electric fencing and window mesh being placed on windows over the past few days.
NHS Fife acting general manager Mary Porter said: “As stated previously, arrangements in Scotland for the care of patients with mental illness who have secure accommodation needs have changed over the past few years due to the application of conditions set down in the Mental Health (Care and Treatment) (Scotland) Act 2003 and the reconfiguration of the Forensic Estate in Scotland.
“The Scottish Government’s forensic guidance, adopted as policy, requires that arrangements are in place for the appropriate care of patients with high, medium and low-secure care needs.
“High-secure care is provided at the State Hospital, Carstairs. Medium-secure care is provided in regional facilities based in Glasgow, Edinburgh and Perth. Each NHS board is expected to provide low-secure facilities locally. The unit is absolutely not to accommodate patient overspill from Carstairs. The unit will care for patients who pose a low risk and who do not require the level of security provided at the State Hospital or in the regional medium-secure units.
“It has always been the case, however, that patients progress from high and medium-secure care to low-secure and non-secure mainstream wards over a period of time.
“The fencing is a standard fitting in all secure care levels and is to ensure controlled access and exit. The window mesh is primarily to prevent the potential passage of illicit substances into the ward.”
Cupar councillor Karen Marjoram said she was reassured by the comments from NHS Fife.
She added: “I am also pleased that they are putting in place measures to prevent illicit substances entering this ward, as these substances can have a detrimental effect on the effectiveness of prescribed medication.
“These measures will only be effective, however, if care is taken to ensure that other patients are not able to pass illicit substances from their wards.”