Campaigners have expressed alarm at plans to push ahead with controversial changes to St Andrews out-of-hours GP service, despite concerns the proposal has been dangerously watered down.
Members of St Andrews Community Council’s out-of-hours group claimed they had not been contacted by Fife Health and Social Care Partnership about its intentions for the service, which was saved from the axe after a concerted community campaign.
They alleged the proposal was being set up to fail after it emerged nurses would be working extended periods with no GP support and the unit would close two hours earlier than agreed on Saturdays.
The partnership has insisted the model would be safe and sustainable and said safety was paramount.
Health minister Jeane Freeman has pledged to investigate the community council’s concerns with “some urgency”, a move welcomed by the out-of-hours group.
Chairwoman Dr Angela Anderson, said: “It’s great that the health secretary values the community-devised and community-led proposal…and that it needs to be implemented as promised.
“We look forward to her urgent investigation.”
Dr Anderson questioned why no members of Fife’s integration joint board raised the issue at its latest meeting on September 6, the day after it was discussed with the health minister in the Scottish Parliament.
“Not one member asked about the broken promise about Saturday evening opening hours, the imposition of three-hour shifts and the replacement of GPs by nursing staff,” she said.
Penelope Fraser, vice chairwoman of St Andrews Community Council, added: “No community council in north east Fife has been contacted by the partnership about the latest plans for the St Andrews service.
“Community councils across north east Fife are alarmed that the partnership seems to be determined to push forward with a seriously-depleted service, despite assurances to the contrary.
“The partnership is not listening to us.”
Nicky Connor, interim director with Fife Health and Social Care Partnership, responded: “Having a safe and sustainable out-of-hours urgent care service in Fife is a key priority and the safety of the people of Fife and our staff is paramount.
“Our teams have been working extremely hard to find workable solutions to open three out-of-hours centres.
“We still face challenges but we believe we have developed a model that is sustainable and we will be working to implement, on a phased basis, from November.”
Ms Connor said the partnership valued engagement with staff and communities and was continuing to make every effort to meet and engage with them to ensure the implementation was as seamless as possible.
“There has been significant work over the summer, including open meetings with staff in each of the urgent care bases,” she said.
“A communications group has also been established with representatives from the public.”
