Fears have been raised that closure of the Glenrothes out-of-hours GP service is a fait accompli.
Campaigners striving to save the facility believe NHS Fife has already decided to shut it, despite claims to the contrary by the region’s health bosses.
NHS Fife denied the allegation, saying the views were still being gathered and further comments could be left on its website.
Dozens of people attended a meeting at Rothes Halls, Glenrothes, on Tuesday and again in Kirkcaldy on Wednesday night to hear the options for the service, which caters for 8,600 patients in Glenrothes and the surrounding area.
The health board has said transferring the entire service from Glenrothes to Victoria Hospital, Kirkcaldy, would be the best way of maintaining a safe, sustainable and affordable out-of-hours service.
However, it is also considering partial transfer after midnight and at weekends or the creation of a minor injuries unit at Glenrothes.
Ron Page from Glenrothes Area Futures Group, which has headed the protests, said concern had been expressed by those at the meetings.
“The board keeps arguing there is no final paper and no decision has been made but everything points to a decision to close Glenrothes Hospital.”
NHS Fife chief executive John Wilson said: “We would again reiterate that the health board has taken no decision on the future of the out-of-hours service and that the recent options appraisal forms only part of the consultation.”
Photo by David Wardle