Overhaul For GP Services In Fife

NHS services in Fife are being overhauled.

There are concerns patient numbers are rising while GP surgeries struggle to recruit enough doctors. One in Methil was taken over by the local health board because it couldn't find enough doctors.

Health bosses are suggesting taking on 'community physicians' who'd work both in surgeries and hospitals.

Fife MSP Claire Baker welcomes the idea:

NHS Fife Medical Director, Dr Frances Elliot, said: “NHS Fife recognises the pressures that general practice is facing and we are committed to working with local practices to find solutions to the workforce shortages being experienced in Fife and across the rest of the UK.

“As a Board, we are looking at a range of options to best support practices and ensure that Fife patients continue to receive the best possible standards of care. This will look at adapting the skill mix within practices to enable the recruitment of clinical pharmacists, advanced nurse practitioners and other health and social care professionals to support the existing teams.

“The Board will be working closely with GPs through the newly established Health and Social Care Partnership, to ensure that strengthening primary care services forms a key part of health and social care integration moving forward.

“It is worth noting also that, while we continue to experience challenges in recruiting to vacant posts, Fife is far from the worst affected areas in the country, not least because of the continued dedication of practice staff themselves.”