Category Archives: Fife News

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 →

Rethink needed over Police Station desk closures

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I have called for the Scottish Government and Police Scotland to rethink plans to close the front desk at Burntisland Police Station along with the reduction of hours for the front desk at Levenmouth.

The request comes after Police Scotland published proposals which would see over 65 front desk closures across Scotland, with several more experiencing a reduction in hours.  Continue reading →

Claire urges a Fuelgood Fife

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After a visit to Parliament from Energy Safety Trust I have backed attempts to save money on fuel costs with FuelGood – an initiative to become a fuel efficient driver with the Trust and Transport Scotland. The initiative aims to teach drivers how to drive efficiently saving fuel and money at the same time. From just simple tips to a training session and even an app, FuelGood claim that if you become a fuel efficient driver you could save an average of £250 on fuel per year.

Tips include not idling if you are stationary for more than a minute, checking your tyres regularly, staying in gear and watching the revs. A FuelGood training session is a 50 minute one-to-one lesson with an approved driving instructor to put the tips into practice.

Concerns raised over Victoria Hospital

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Recently I raised ‘grave concerns’ at reports that “scores of Fife patients are dying unnecessarily” at Victoria Hospital in Kirkcaldy.

The concerns were originally raised by a senior nurse at the hospital who raised a number of claims against the hospital including; inexperienced junior nurses drafted in, patients left unmonitored and patients being placed in “cupboards” due to lack of room. Continue reading →

Claire raises UGC fear in Parliament

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I have raised concerns about underground coal gasification to the Energy Minister during General Questions in Parliament after Cluff Natural Resources brought forward proposals to extract coal beneath the Firth of Forth. 

I asked Fergus Ewing if he or the Scottish Government had met with the organisation owned by Algy Cluff and what matters were discussed, I followed on by raising concerns over the contamination of rising mining water if Cluff Natural Resources were to proceed with their licenses in Fife.

I also asked if the Minister was confident that there are significant and robust safeguards currently in place within the regulatory regime to ensure that the risk of contamination is minimised. Continue reading →

Wemyss Caves future raised in Parliament

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Last week in Parliament I raised the future of Wemyss Caves during a debate on Scotland’s Historic Environment. During my speech I highlighted the challenges facing the caves, including coastal erosion, whilst praising the work of the Save Wemyss Caves Society. 

These caves should be recognised as being of national importance. The story that they tell enriches the history of Fife’s coast and the communities that settled and traded there. These carvings can also connect modern generations to history in a way that textbooks can’t and for that reason it is important that they aren’t lost to the local area. Continue reading →

Baker’s Delight

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I recently visited Stuart’s of Buckhaven bakery to experience first hand the expertise that saw the bakery win a special award at the 2013 Baker of the Year awards. The 2013 awards also saw awards for Bayne’s Bakeries and GH Barnett of Cellardyke, with Dunfermline based Stephens taking home the 2013 Baker of the Year award.

I was delighted to see Fife bakeries doing so well at the 2013 Baker of the Year awards and I already celebrated the success of the Fife bakeries in Parliament through the lodging of a Parliamentary motion – allowing fellow MSPs to show their support.