By Claire Warrender

THE NHS in Fife is to benefit from £12 million of fresh investment.

The money is the region’s share of a £426 million capital investment in Scotland, announced by Health Minister Andy Kerr yesterday, and represents a 10.5% increase on last year’s award.

It will mean more dentists, new equipment and an extension of locally delivered services such as specialist nurse-led clinics, as well as refurbishments to Fife’s two acute hospitals in Kirkcaldy and Dunfermline.

Mr Kerr said his objective was to see direct improvements in patient care by transforming the health service to bring in smaller units closer to patients.

He said the additional money from April would bring new medical equipment, improve access to health screening services and tackle out-patient waiting times.

“It will also help the NHS to modernise services by improving GP practices and the IT systems they use to produce more effective care for patients.

“More investment in IT infrastructure will allow for speedier diagnosis and treatment for patients in their local area.”

The money has been welcomed by NHS Fife chairman Professor Jim McGoldrick.

He said, “We are determined to put this £12 million to good use with patients and staff being the beneficiaries.

“Much of the allocation will be used in providing services locally through the new community health partnerships.

“Hospital patients will benefit from the purchase of new equipment, including a reverse osmosis machine for the renal dialysis service, laboratory autoclaves, the updating and improving of IT systems so that patients’ results are more quickly communicated to doctors and themselves, and by improving access to meet the requirements of the Disability Discrimination Act.”

NHS Fife also aims to spend £500,000 on the creation of a new education centre at Victoria Hospital, Kirkcaldy to help to attract and retain junior medical and clinical staff—something which has been a problem for the board in recent years.

Professor McGoldrick said further money would be invested in “educational opportunities” which would be announced soon.

A new dental centre will be opened in Kirkcaldy where dentists will work solely for the NHS to try to tackle the growing national dental shortage, which has forced patients to travel miles or pay a fortune for treatment.

GP surgeries across Fife are in line for improvements, diabetes care will be extended and a pulmonary rehabilitation service will be introduced.