NHS Fife has come out fighting after high-profile calls were made to investigate the service.
The leader of Fife Council, David Ross, was among Labour Party members at the weekend launch of a petition demanding the Scottish Government launches an independent review into the region’s health service.
The calls were made despite Health Secretary Alex Neil telling The Courier he feels no such review is needed.
NHS Fife’s chief executive, Dr Brian Montgomery, has joined the debate and claimed the pressures felt in Fife are not unique to the region.
“Our priority is to provide a safe environment for staff and patients and to deliver care of the highest standards,” he said.
“There are currently 131 people in beds in NHS Fife hospitals who do not need to be there.
“Their needs would better be met at home or in care homes but the necessary support packages and placements are not available.
“Similarly, there are people in the community who are not receiving the support needed to maintain them at home and so are consequently at risk of being admitted to hospital.”
He added: “Significant work is already under way to address the challenges and we will continue to work with patients, staff and local communities to plan, develop and deliver services.
“NHS Fife in isolation cannot resolve the situation.
“We remain committed to working in partnership with Fife Council to strengthen services and develop initiatives which allow people to be cared for in the community without the need for hospital admission.”
The problems faced by the NHS in Fife have been well documented, with complaints of staff shortages, low morale and so-called “bed blocking”.
A recruitment drive to take on an additional 100 nurses was announced to ease the strain on staff, although 38 consultant posts are understood to remain vacant.
David Ross, the Labour leader of Fife Council, was at Randolph Wemyss Hospital in Buckhaven to launch the Fit for Fife petition.
He said: “Care services for older people are overstretched in Fife because of under-funding by the Scottish Government.
“NHS Fife can’t cope and council social work services are having to pick up the pieces. This can’t go on.”