Category Archives: Health

Fife Neonatal Unit going from strength to strength

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Recently I visited Fife’s Neonatal Services for a tour of the facilities at Victoria Hospital in Kirkcaldy. The service, which relocated to the Victoria Hospital two years ago, looks after over 400 babies a year on average, and which has in that time included 8 sets of triplets.

I was delighted to be invited by the staff, particularly Jeana Arnott, at the Neonatal Service for a tour around their facilities and I want to thank them for the opportunity to see first-hand the department in action.

The work that the staff undertakes is a credit to the NHS in Fife and they should be proud of all that they have achieved as the service continues to go from strength to strength. Since the move to the new department at the Victoria there has been changes which aim to improve the service and these have been positively received by both the staff and patients. Continue reading →

New food body can’t be a smokescreen for further cuts

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Last year’s horsemeat scandal highlighted the SNP’s cuts to the very services that would ensure high food standards. The number of food safety samples taken dropped from over 16,000 in 2008-09 to 10,236 in 2011-12, Unison found that the number of meat inspectors has dropped by over 50%, from 170 in 2003 to 75 in 2013. There has also been in Scotland an 11% fall in the number of environmental health officers and a 21% drop in the number of specialist food safety officers.

It is therefore vital that the launch of a new food body, included in the Scottish Government’s Food (Scotland) Bill does not just consolidate existing groups or be a smokescreen for further cuts. Continue reading →

Claire calls for action to tackle the need for food banks

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Yesterday in Parliament I raised the challenges facing food banks across the Kingdom during a Member’s debate. Having attended the launch of the food bank in Kirkcaldy I have seen first hand the demand for these services and the vital role they play in helping those that need it most. 

Recent reports that the food bank in Glenrothes is running low on food as it struggles to keep up with demand highlights how important these services are for the Kingdom. Those that have taken the time to help, from volunteering in the banks or donating food whilst they do their weekly shop, deserve our thanks. Without them the situation throughout Fife would be a lot worse.

My full speech can be found on the Scottish Government website.

Continue reading →

Air quality concerns raised as reports of 1,600 dying each year

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This week in Parliament I raised a topical question on the recent air pollution monitoring results for 2013. The report found that more than over 20 streets throughout Scotland breach safety limits regarding air pollution. This follows a report that found that nearly 1,600 people in Scotland die each year due to particle pollution. 

In my questions to the Environment Minister I highlighted both reports and worrying statistics. With air pollution contributing to heart attacks and lung disease it is important that the Scottish Government is committed to tackling air pollution across Scotland. Continue reading →

Carers in Fife missing out in over £6 million of support

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Carers in Fife have missed out on vital support to the tune of over £6 million according to charity Carers Scotland. The report, which puts the number of carers failing to receive their full allowance across the Kingdom at over 2,000.

Whilst we are currently in a cost of living crisis every little helps and it is vital that carers throughout the Kingdom are receiving the help and support that they deserve.

Many carers take on that role not through choice but due to a sense of duty and love. For over £6 million to sit unclaimed whilst carers face making tough decisions between heating and eating must be addressed. It is not acceptable that nearly half of carers are cutting back on food and heating when they are carrying out such an invaluable role. Continue reading →

Food bank demand raise concerns over health inequalities

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Last week during Health Questions I quizzed the Public health minister on the issue of food banks within the region after reports of a high demand for Levenmouth Foodbank since it was launched in September.

I asked the Government what action they would be taking to target resources to address health inequalities after concerns were raised that a number of people referred to food banks also suffer from other health conditions such as mental ill health. Continue reading →

Assurances needed for NHS Fife

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Last week during Health Questions in the Scottish Parliament I quizzed the Cabinet Health Secretary for Health and Wellbeing, Alex Neil MSP, to ask for assurances from the Scottish Government that Victoria Hospital in Kirkcaldy will be able to deal with the winter months ahead as pressures and demand increase.

I called for assurances after previous concerns over patient care and A&E waiting times at the Victoria were raised for the same time period last year. Last winter we saw that NHS Fife had the third highest number of patients waiting over 12 hours in A&E across Scotland. That is why I have pushed Alex Neil for a commitment that we won’t see this happen again in Fife. Continue reading →

Funding blow for NHS Fife

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Today in Parliament I raised concerns about NHS Fife funding during General Questions. I raised the question following an Audit Scotland report which highlighted that NHS Fife are currently receiving less than their target funding, four years after a new funding formula was introduced. This report confirms what we have suspected all along, the NHS in Fife is facing pressures financially due to underfunding by the Scottish Government.

The report points out that NHS Fife currently receives funding below their National Resource Allocation Committee target, despite the Scottish Government first using the formula to allocate funds in 2009/10. The report claims that this brings forward uncertainty to the NHS boards’ planning as the Government has no specific timescales for achieving NRAC parity. Continue reading →

AUDIT SCOTLAND REPORT RAISES NHS FIFE CONCERNS

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An Audit Scotland report on NHS financial performance has highlighted the growing signs of pressure on the NHS across Scotland and in Fife. The report reveals that NHS Fife are still receiving less than their target funding despite the new formula being introduce four years ago. 

Whilst the NHS across Scotland has managed it finances for 2012/13 there still needs to be more focused placed on long-term financial planning and sustainability to meet with increasing demands. Audit Scotland highlighted that the demands on healthcare are rising and that the signs of pressure on the NHS are apparent. Continue reading →

Fife Alcohol Support Service

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Yesterday I met with Fife Alcohol Support Service (FASS) at their offices in Kirkcaldy to discuss the work they carry out throughout the Kingdom in offering free and confidential advice and counselling for those who either have, or are affected by those with, alcohol problems.

Alcohol related problems can strike anyone regardless of age, sex, or social status. It is therefore important that there are organisations such as Fife Alcohol Support Service available to offer free and confidential advice.