Category Archives: Latest Press Releases

A&E Waiting Times Underline Need for Improved Support for NHS

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Highlighting the latest figures on A&E waiting times, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife Claire Baker has called on the Scottish Government to take immediate steps to address the pressure on services across NHS Fife and NHS Forth Valley.

The statistics are the worst weekly and monthly A&E figures for Scotland on record, with only 69.6% of attendances at A&E services across the country seen and admitted, transferred or discharged within 4 hours. 1,948 patients across Scotland waited for more than 8 hours. The monthly figures for September show performance against the four-hour target at a record low of 76.1%.

The NHS Fife rate of compliance with the 4 hour standard for week ending 24th October was 69.6%. The rate of compliance with the 4 hour standard for NHS Forth Valley for week ending 24th October was the worst in the country, at only 51.8%.

Claire Baker has previously urged the Scottish Government to do more to address the pressures faced by NHS services including A&E, and has called for additional support to be provided to health boards.

Claire Baker said:

“The latest figures on A&E waiting times show that the Scottish Government has failed to address the pressures on vital services, and they need to take urgent action.

“Our NHS staff continue to work to deliver healthcare across Mid Scotland and Fife but A&E performance is at its lowest ebb. Frontline staff are doing all they can but they need additional support to prevent this situation from further deteriorating.

“The announcement of additional funding of £10m to redeploy staff and extend hours is a positive step but must be part of broader support plans. The Scottish Government needs to quickly get a grip of the scale of this challenge.”

Now Is The Time to Challenge Poverty in Scotland

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This Challenge Poverty Week MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Claire Baker, is calling for continued action to boost incomes, reduce the cost of living and ensure people are not restricted from playing a full role in society as a result of poverty.

Following a visit to The Gate Charity in Alloa to find out more about its new look Food Larder and work tackling food insecurity, Claire Baker has highlighted the impact of the scrapping of the uplift to Universal Credit and increasing energy costs as key contributors to a cost of living crisis, calling on the UK and Scottish Governments to act now to address it.

MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife Claire Baker said:

“It was good to visit the Gate in Alloa and hear about how they are making improvements to the lives of people who are marginalised, facing exclusion, vulnerable or homeless in the Clackmannanshire area.

“Challenge Poverty Week is a chance to focus on the steps needed to address poverty in our communities, and while the work of local organisations should be praised, we also reflect on the failure of our governments to adequately support individuals and families living in poverty.

“Both the UK and Scottish Government need to do all they can to eradicate poverty in our communities. The removal of the uplift to Universal Credit is a callous act by the UK Government which puts further pressure on families already struggling to make ends meet. The uplift was an essential lifeline during the pandemic and it has been removed at a point where many households are facing increasing bills. They need action to boost incomes and reduce the cost of living not a reduction in vital support.

“24% of children and 19% of adults in Scotland are estimated to be living in relative poverty and our UK and Scottish Governments are simply not doing enough to address the impacts or the underlying drivers of poverty in our communities. We need to see action to protect households with low incomes, the maximisation of benefits and a reduction in the cost of living.

“If we are to deliver a fair recovery from this pandemic, the eradication of poverty has to be a priority.”

Cervical Screening Rates Fall in NHS Fife

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Following the publication of the annual cervical screening statistics for Scotland, Mid Scotland and Fife MSP Claire Baker is urging women across Fife to ensure they are up to date with their screening appointments.

The figures from Public Health Scotland show that across Scotland, the uptake rate for cervical screening in females aged 25-64 was 69.3%, down from 71.2% in 2020, while in Fife uptake fell from 72.2% to 70.3%. Uptake in the NHS Fife area for women aged 25-49 was 68.4%

Those from the most deprived areas are less likely to take part in screening, with uptake of 63% compared with 74% in the least deprived areas. Younger women are also less likely to participate, with uptake among 25-29 year olds at 55.4%.

Claire Baker has also written to NHS Fife seeking clarification around arrangements for routine screening appointments following the introduction of HPV screening in March 2020.

Claire Baker, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, said:

“While it may not be surprising that screening attendance has fallen, these figures should be a wake-up call that  more needs to be done to encourage and increase uptake.

“Cervical screening attendance in Fife is 70.3%, meaning one in four women don’t attend when invited. While a test may involve some discomfort, it can save your life.  Smear tests can prevent cervical cancer and I would encourage all women to make sure they are up to date with their smear tests.

“The impact of covid has only increased the gap in attendance between the most and least deprived groups and we cannot let this inequality continue. The lower rates of uptake among younger women is also a concern and must be addressed.

“I have been pushing the Scottish Government on the use of self-sampling and we need to see increased use of innovative solutions like this to increase participation, alongside clear information on when people will be called and why so they can make informed decisions on their healthcare.“

Regarding her letter to NHS Fife, Claire Baker added:

“Following the introduction of HPV screening, routine screening has been extended to every five years for 25-64 year olds, but this should only apply to women only once they have been screened using the hr-HPV primary screen and received a negative result.

“I have been contacted by constituents who have been advised they will not be called for five years due to the introduction of HPV screening, despite their last appointment being prior to its introduction, so have written to NHS Fife seeking clarification on this.”

Expanding Winter Fuel Payment Would Benefit Thousands of Fifers

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MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife Claire Baker is urging the SNP to take up Scottish Labour’s plans to expand the Winter Fuel Payment, after new figures revealed it could help up to 42,862 people in Fife.

Last week Scottish Labour called on the Scottish Government to introduce a £70 winter fuel supplement for low-income pensioners and struggling families, as the cost of living crisis looms. 

On October 1 the energy price cap rose by £139 – the largest increase in history. In contrast, the rate of Winter Fuel Payment has been frozen since 2011. Campaign groups have warned that the energy price rise and sky-high energy prices will lead to preventable deaths. This comes as furlough is brought to an end and the Universal Credit uplift is scrapped, prompting fears of a cost of living crisis stretching household budgets past breaking point. 

The Scottish Parliament has the power to take action to expand Winter Fuel Payments and alleviate fuel poverty, which affects an estimated 600,000 people across Scotland – but the SNP has delayed the devolution of the benefit from the Department of Work and Pensions for up to 4 years.

Now, Scottish Labour are urging the Government to use the powers they have to try and ensure no-one faces a choice between heating and eating this winter. 

Scottish Labour MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Claire Baker, said: 

“Too many Scots are facing fuel poverty as energy prices spiral out of control, but the Scottish Parliament can make a difference here. We have the powers to ensure payments reflect the pressures on fuel poor households – if the Scottish Government acts now we could help thousands of people in Fife this winter.

“No-one should have to face a choice between heating and eating. That’s why Labour would give people struggling with fuel poverty £70 now to help them through the winter months. In Fife this would help up to 42,862 people. 

“The Scottish Government needs to act now and ensure this additional support is made available for those in need this winter.”

NHS Fife Pressures Must Be Addressed

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MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife Claire Baker has called on the Scottish Government to act to alleviate pressures on NHS Fife services ahead of the onset of winter.

Earlier this month NHS Fife postponed all non-urgent surgery and some outpatient appointments, saying it was facing pressure “unlike anything we have experienced during our response to the pandemic”. This week they have referred to “significant ongoing challenges” and are looking at other services which can be stepped back to ensure safe staffing is in place.

During Portfolio Questions to the Health Secretary, Claire Baker highlighted the pressures facing the NHS in Fife and urged the Scottish Government to do more to ensure patients are not faced with further delays or reductions in services over the winter. She called for assurances that the situation in Fife will not deteriorate further, and for additional support to be provided to health boards.

MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife Claire Baker said:

“NHS Fife has postponed all non-urgent surgery and some outpatient appointments already but is looking at further reducing services in order to cope. A&E performance in Fife is its lowest on record and among the worst in Scotland. Frontline staff are doing all they can but hospitals are already seeing more people turn up, for both covid and non-covid related conditions, than they would at the height of winter.

“Many patients having their surgery or appointments postponed have already been waiting a long time to be treated, and are understandably anxious about any further delay. What they need is reassurance that additional support for our NHS will be provided to ensure this situation isn’t just going to get worse through the winter.

“With the medical backlog caused by the pandemic ever increasing, we cannot see further delays to patient care. The Scottish Government needs to step up and address this urgently, and support our NHS staff to continue delivering across all areas of healthcare.”

Call For Action on CAMHS Crisis

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Scottish Labour MSP Claire Baker has called on the Scottish Government to do more for young people in need of support, following the news that Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services waiting lists have hit their highest point on record. New figures show that 352 young people in Fife are waiting for treatment.

The statistics for the end of July 2021 show that of the children and young people on the waiting list in Fife, 37.2% had been waiting more than 18 weeks, despite the Scottish Government’s target stating that 90% of patients should be seen within 18 weeks. During the quarter ending July 2021, a further 15.5% of young people referred to CAMHS in Fife had their referral rejected.

Claire Baker is calling for more to be done to reduce waiting times for CAMHS as well as to provide additional community support services.

Across Scotland CAMHS waiting lists hit a record high, with almost 12,000 young people waiting to be seen at the end of June. Almost 1,700 young people have waited more than a year.

Commenting, Scottish Labour MSP Claire Baker said:

“These figures show that much more needs to be done to provide community support and services for young people. While staff are working hard to keep vital services going, too many young people in need of support are having to wait to be seen.

“Referral times are simply too long and must be reduced, but we also need to see more community support for mental health available in the short term. There are cases where young people are in need of support but struggle to get it due to lengthy referral times and this must be addressed.

“The risk the pandemic poses to children and young people’s mental health has been clear for a long time but the SNP Government has failed to invest in the services needed.  

“We urgently need a real plan to fix this growing crisis and make sure every young person referred to CAMHS gets the treatment and support they need. We also need to support local services delivering short-term solutions by ensuring they have the resources to increase capacity so demand can be met.”