Health chiefs in Fife have been accused causing a massive “insult” after it emerged thousands of employees will miss out on next year’s national bank holiday to mark VE Day’s 75th anniversary.
Pressure is mounting on NHS Fife to perform a U-turn after it confirmed it will reject the new date for the May Bank Holiday, which the government has changed from May 4 to Friday May 8 across the UK.
A Scottish Government circular has been issued to local authorities and health boards recommending they fall into line with the revised date, as it will launch a three-day weekend of celebrations to commemorate the anniversary of Nazi Germany’s surrender to the Allies in the Second World War.
The Courier has learned NHS Fife’s 8,500-strong workforce will be given the traditional Monday holiday as normal, prompting anger from some quarters.
Scottish Liberal Democrat leader and North East Fife MSP Willie Rennie said he was shocked to hear NHS Fife’s position and described the health board’s decision as “ill-advised”.
He said: “It was not much to ask for the bank holiday in May to be moved just a few days to the exact day 75 years ago when victory in Europe was achieved over Nazi Germany.
“It is to be a national coming together to remember those who sacrificed their tomorrows for our todays.
“Yet the NHS in Fife will miss out on that national opportunity to remember. It’s a bit of an insult and this decision should be reversed without delay.
“If NHS Fife won’t change this decision they should be instructed to do so by the health secretary.”
Local authorities across Tayside and Fife will recognise the new date, meaning schools and council departments will be off.
Despite recommending the change, the Scottish Government stressed such decisions remain a local matter for each NHS Scotland board, as employers.
The VE Day bank holiday was moved once before in 1995 for the 50th anniversary of VE Day but former business secretary Greg Clark – who was behind the change – said doing so again for 2020 was a “right and fitting tribute”.
“It will ensure as many people as possible have the opportunity to remember and honour our heroes of the Second World War and reflect on the sacrifices of a generation,” he said.
“’VE Day marked an historic moment in not only our nation’s, but the world’s history and it is important that we commemorate this great occasion on its 75th anniversary.”
Paul Hawkins, chief executive at NHS Fife, denied the move was a snub to commemoration plans.
He said: “NHS Fife has an enormous amount of respect for our armed forces community and we work very closely with them through a number of initiatives.
“NHS Fife is Defence Employer Recognition certified – meaning our values are aligned with the Armed Forces Covenant and that our work to both support defence efforts and inspire other to do the same has been formally recognised by the Ministry of Defence.
“The decision to maintain the traditional May Day holiday date was taken in partnership with staff-side representatives and approved at the board’s Area Partnership Forum meeting in September.”
