Main updates
Employment tribunal
All witness testimony in the ongoing employment tribunal NHS Fife has been required to defend has now formally concluded. The tribunal is scheduled to reconvene on Monday 1 and Tuesday 2 September 2025 for oral submissions from both parties and for panel questions. The hearing is expected to conclude on 2 September.
A final judgment is anticipated no sooner than four to six weeks following the close of proceedings.
We recognise the emotional and professional toll these proceedings have taken on our colleagues, whether they have been directly involved in the tribunal or impacted in more indirect ways. Navigating such circumstances can be exceptionally demanding, and we remain immensely grateful for the patience, integrity, and resilience shown by our staff throughout.
At this stage, we will not be making any further public comment on the tribunal. However, we have published a statement on our website that aims to address key questions raised by members of the media, elected officials, and the wider public. The statement covers the following topics:
- the nature of the case
- why we chose to continue with the proceedings
- the costs involved in defending the case
- the rationale behind seeking a privacy order at the outset
- what changes have followed the Supreme Court ruling
The full statement can be viewed here.
NHS Fife receives prestigious University Health Board status
NHS Fife has officially become the first Health Board in more than 50 years to be formally granted University Health Board status. The designation recognises our outstanding commitment to education, research and innovation, and acknowledging our fruitful partnership with the University of St Andrews.
It places NHS Fife among a select group of ‘prescribed health boards’, acknowledging our commitment to supporting academic excellence and our collaborative efforts to advance clinical research, improve treatments, and train the next generation of medical professionals.
The new status marks a significant milestone in a long-standing partnership between NHS Fife and the University of St Andrews, which was strengthened in March 2024 with the signing of a formal partnership between the two institutions.
The formal partnership followed the Scottish Parliament’s decision to end a historic prohibition that had prevented University of St Andrews from awarding its own medical qualifications. This allowed the development of a new five-year medical degree programme which enables students studying medicine to undertake all their clinical training and complete their primary medical qualification in Fife.
The formal partnership has already brought a raft of benefits to healthcare services across the Fife, enabling collaboration across a range of areas aimed of providing high quality patient care and enhancing the medical research which leads to better and more effective treatments.
Achieving University Health Board status will also see a representative of the University of St Andrews become a member of the Fife NHS Board.
The development will also enable NHS Fife to expand the role it plays medical training and cutting-edge research and play a greater role in addressing regional and national health challenges, helping to improve outcomes for patients in Fife and much further afield.
More information is available here.
Medical director awarded honorary professorship
Medical director, Dr Christopher McKenna, has been awarded an honorary professorship by the University of St Andrews, recognising his outstanding contribution to healthcare leadership and medical education in the region.
The honorary title celebrates Dr McKenna’s role in advancing clinical excellence and fostering collaboration between the two institutions. Honorary professors at the University of St Andrews play a vital role in enriching the academic community by contributing to teaching, mentoring, and research, while also serving as ambassadors for the university’s values and mission. More information is available here.
Relocation of Minor Injuries services at Adamson Hospital
Following a decision by Fife Integration Joint Board, the Minor Injuries Unit (MIU) at Adamson Hospital has now merged with and relocated to the Minor Injuries Unit at St Andrews Community Hospital.
The decision was made following a clinically led options appraisal, engagement with the local community and detailed scrutiny and consideration of the plans through the Fife Health and Social Care Partnership’s governance and committee process.
More information on the reconfiguration is available here.
100 modern apprentices supported by NHS Fife
NHS Fife is proud to be investing in the workforce of the future, with around 100 Modern Apprentices supported across the organisation during 2024–25.
Modern Apprenticeships are playing an increasingly important role in building a skilled, sustainable NHS workforce by combining hands-on training in the workplace with formal education. These roles are now firmly established as a valued career pathway within NHS Fife, offering opportunities both to new recruits and to existing staff who want to develop their skills and progress in their careers.
Modern Apprenticeships also reflect NHS Fife’s wider commitment to workforce development and its role as an anchor institution, creating training and employment opportunities that benefit the wider Fife community.
More information is available here.
New campaign helping people access right care and avoid long waits
We have launched a new public awareness campaign to help people access the right care quickly - without unnecessary waits in A&E.
‘Why Wait?’ encourages anyone unsure whether they need to go to hospital to call NHS 24 on 111 first, instead of visiting A&E by default. By doing so, patients can be assessed quickly and directed to the most appropriate care from the comfort of their own home - often with a scheduled appointment. This approach also helps people avoid potentially long waits in Kirkcaldy’s busy A&E. The campaign is part of NHS Fife’s ongoing efforts to ensure people across the region can access timely, effective care while reducing pressure on emergency services.
More information is available here.
Population Health and Wellbeing Strategy mid-year report
NHS Fife has published its mid-year report detailing progress against our five-year Population Health and Wellbeing Strategy. The report builds on the progress described in previous reports and includes the latest population-level indicators being tracked throughout the lifetime of the strategy.
You can read the mid-year report here.
Fife Health Charity unveils refreshed website and publishes impact report
Fife Health Charity has unveiled its refreshed website, which is designed to make it easier than ever for supporters, applicants, and the wider community to engage with the charity’s work and impact.
The updated site features a streamlined, mobile-friendly design that improves navigation across devices - from desktop to smartphone - ensuring a smoother and more accessible experience for all users.
A key enhancement is the prominent repositioning of the ‘Donate’ button, making it simpler for visitors to contribute to the charity’s mission of improving health and wellbeing across Fife.
The refresh also includes an expanded library of case studies, showcasing real-life stories of how Fife Health Charity funding has made a difference - from supporting patient care to enhancing staff wellbeing and community health initiatives. More information is available here.
Fife Health Charity has also published its 2024–2025 Impact Report, showcasing a year of transformative projects that have supported patients, NHS staff, and communities across Fife.
With over half a million pounds awarded in grants, and a significant increase in the number of grants awarded compared to the the previous year, the charity continues to make a meaningful difference in people’s lives. From bereavement support for families and young people, to cutting-edge simulation training for NHS staff, the report highlights the breadth and depth of the charity’s work. More information is available here.
Constituents encouraged to respond to waiting list text messages
Constituents who have been waiting over 40 weeks for an appointment or operation with NHS Fife are being contacted to help us keep our records up to date. They will receive a text message from the National Elective Coordination Unit (NECU) on 07860 039 092. The message will include a secure link asking a couple of quick questions to help us update our records.
More information is available here.
Music therapy leading to reduced medication use in older patients
At the recent NHS Scotland event, our music therapist Harry Harris presented a compelling poster showing how music therapy is making a real difference on an older adult mental health ward. From reducing stress and distress to boosting engagement and lowering medication use, Harry’s work highlights the powerful impact of non-drug interventions in dementia care. You can read more about Harry's findings here.
Consultation on new pharmacy in St Andrews West
We're consulting with Eden Pharmacy Services Ltd on a proposal to open a new community pharmacy in St Andrews West. Local constituents are encouraged to feedback by completing the survey here.
Montenegrin delegation learns about Fife’s approach to GIRFEC
We hosted a delegation from Montenegro and UNICEF to showcase how NHS Fife is delivering on Scotland’s commitment to Getting It Right For Every Child (GIRFEC).
The visit highlighted the work of our Family Nurse Partnership and health visiting teams - two vital services at the forefront of supporting children and families across Fife. Health visitors deliver the Universal Health Visiting Pathway, which offers consistent support from pregnancy through to school age - ensuring early intervention and holistic care. The Family Nurse Partnership, introduced in 2012, supports young first-time mums from early pregnancy until their child turns two, working closely with midwives, child protection, and community services.
The visit also offered a great opportunity for informal networking and knowledge sharing.
Music therapy is transforming dementia care.
Media statements
As part of our efforts to be as open and transparent as possible, we have created a new section on our website where we are publishing all formal statements and responses we issue to local and national media outlets. You can access these statements here.
Board papers and statistics
NHS Fife Board
The NHS Fife Board holds meetings every two months at Victoria Hospital, Kirkcaldy. Meetings have set agendas, and accompanying papers are available on our website five days before the meeting.
Papers from the latest Board meeting on Tuesday 24 June can be viewed here. The next meeting takes place on Tuesday 12 August.
Performance
A wide range of research, guidance and statistical publications relating to NHS Fife can be viewed here.
Workforce
Statistics on staffing and vacancies are published quarterly by NHS Education for Scotland. The latest publication can be viewed here.
All Information correct at time of publishing. Issued by the Corporate Communications and Engagement Directorate.