Fife MSP Claire Baker is calling on the Scottish Government to get to grips with the NHS as hospital complaints rise in Fife Health Board for the third year running.

Latest statistics have shown that the number of complaints received by Fife Health Board have reached their highest level since 1997.

In the past year the number of complaints has risen by 10.8%, with a 38.9% increase since the SNP won power in 2007.

Nationally, Hospital and Community Health Service complaints has seen a 15 per cent rise across Scotland in the last year.

Claire Baker MSP said:

“Whilst the NHS should be striving to meet patient standards the reality is that Scottish Government cut backs are not allowing them to fulfil this purpose.

“We have a state of the art hospital in Kirkcaldy, yet week after week we learn of growing concerns over patient care. At the same time we are hearing about examples of patients’ suffering indignity we are seeing a decreasing number of nurses, this is no coincidence.

“At no point since the creation of the Scottish Parliament has the number of complaints in Fife been this high and this is simply not good enough for the people in Fife. There is a real danger that as that the next wave of government cuts attacks resources and staffing then the number of complaints will only continue to increase.

“With £190 million being cut over the next three years and with the SNP moving Nicola Sturgeon away from Health to focus on the referendum it is becoming clear that they are taking their eye off the ball and showing where their real priorities lie.”