Reconfiguration of wards at Cameron and Glenrothes hospitals

We have received several enquiries from local members relating to rehabilitation services at Cameron and Glenrothes Hospitals.

Work is currently underway to reconfigure wards at both hospitals as part of a wider programme to transform stroke and neurological rehabilitation and wider community care services across Fife. These changes are part of NHS Fife’s broader strategy to deliver high-quality, modern, patient-centred care that makes best use of available resources and facilities. As part of these plans:

  • A dedicated stroke and neurological rehabilitation site will be created within Glenrothes Hospital.
  • A small number of wards (three at Glenrothes and two at Cameron) will be remodelled and repurposed over the next 12-18 months, on a phased basis to minimise disruption.
  • The reconfiguration will introduce enhanced rehabilitation spaces and new multidisciplinary teams, bringing together nursing, medical, therapy, and social care professionals to deliver more joined-up, person-centred care.

While this will result in a modest reduction in overall bed capacity, it is important to stress that these changes will increase capacity for patients to be cared for in their own communities. This approach aligns with the national Home First model, which prioritises recovery in homely settings wherever possible. It also reflects our commitment to sustainable services that adapt to the changing needs of Fife’s population.

The relocation of the Sir George Sharp Unit and Letham Ward from Cameron Hospital to Glenrothes Hospital is a key part of this transformation. It supports the consolidation of services in a way that enhances patient care, improves staff support, and ensures long-term sustainability.

Rehabilitation remains a core part of these plans. The specialist facilities at Cameron Hospital will continue to play a vital role in supporting patients who no longer require acute care but are not yet ready to return home. By shifting more resources into community-based care, we aim to reduce unnecessary hospital stays and help patients regain independence sooner.


We are committed to supporting our staff throughout this process. Where changes to location or service delivery may be required, we are working closely with affected staff and their representatives to ensure appropriate consultation, support, and transition planning. Our aim is to retain staff expertise within NHS Fife and ensure continuity of care for patients.

Importantly, the reconfiguration has been carefully planned to avoid placing additional pressure on Victoria Hospital. One of the key drivers of this change is to ensure that patients receive the right care in the right place, at the right time, reducing unnecessary admissions to acute settings and supporting more effective use of community-based care.

We hope this update provides reassurance that these changes are about improving care rather than reducing it.

Neonatal services in Fife

Considering media reports around neonatal intensive care services, we would reassure you and your constituents that there are no plans to downgrade or close the Neonatal Unit at Victoria Hospital in Kirkcaldy.

The unit is currently classified as a Local Neonatal Unit (LNU) and has never been designated as a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). It continues to provide high-quality care for babies born after 27 weeks’ gestation. For babies born before 27 weeks or those requiring more intensive support, a well-established system is already in place to transfer them to one of the larger specialist NICUs in Edinburgh, Aberdeen, or Glasgow. This model has been in operation in Fife since 2019 and ensures that the most unwell babies receive the highly specialist care they need in the earliest days and weeks after birth.

Importantly, once a baby’s condition stabilises, they are transferred back to Fife as soon as it is safe to do so, allowing families to continue their care and recovery closer to home. We hope this provides clarity and reassurance about the continuity of neonatal services in Fife.

Urgent Care services survey

NHS Fife and Fife Health and Social Care Partnership are inviting your constituents to take part in a short survey about their understanding and experiences of Urgent Care services in Fife.

Urgent Care refers to services that treat illnesses and injuries requiring same-day attention when a GP is closed, but which do not require a visit to A&E. In these cases, the first point of contact should always be NHS 24 by dialling 111.

Across Fife, Urgent Care Centres operate at Queen Margaret Hospital in Dunfermline, Victoria Hospital in Kirkcaldy, and St Andrews Community Hospital, with opening hours from 6pm to 8am on weekdays and 24 hours on weekends and public holidays. These hospitals also host Minor Injuries Units (MIUs) for non-life-threatening injuries such as minor burns, wounds needing stitches, and minor fractures. Appointments for both services are arranged via NHS 24.

The survey seeks feedback on how people access Urgent Care, their awareness of available services, and any barriers they may face. Responses will help improve and better promote Urgent Care services locally. All responses are anonymous, and constituents can take part here. We would appreciate your support sharing this message to ensure as many people as possible can feedback.

ME/CFS nurse specialist update

We have received several enquiries relating to whether there has been progress on the recruitment of a specialist Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) nurse.

NHS Fife previously operated a ME/CFS service led by a single nurse, without multidisciplinary (MDT) support. Unfortunately, despite multiple recruitment efforts, we have been unable to fill this specialist post due to a lack of suitably qualified applicants, although this post remains a priority, but as part of a wider MDT.

In the interim, we have integrated ME/CFS support into our existing long-term condition (LTC) services, including community rehabilitation and pain management teams. While these teams are not ME/CFS specialists, they are experienced in managing complex LTCs and have helped maintain continuity of care.


Following the Scottish Government’s announcement of recurring funding (over £307,000) for Long Covid, ME and CFS services, NHS Fife has submitted a local plan to establish a dedicated multidisciplinary team. This team will include Allied Health Professionals, medical, nursing, and psychology staff with expertise in these conditions, aligning with best practice and NICE guidance.


To maximise impact and sustainability, we are collaborating regionally with NHS Lothian, NHS Forth Valley, and NHS Borders. This partnership will support complex cases through a shared MDT model, including medical and psychological input, delivered via outreach and digital platforms. Each board will maintain local rehabilitation services, while contributing to the regional model proportionally.

Wider recruitment planning is underway, and we are working to implement both local and regional services as swiftly as possible.

Expansion of bereavement support service

NHS Fife is pleased to share the expansion of a bereavement support service for families affected by the loss of a baby, delivered in partnership with the charity Held in Our Hearts.

Thanks to funding of around £40,000 over three years from Fife Health Charity, this partnership will allow the continued development of the Hospital to Home (H2H) model, which provides trauma-informed, compassionate care from hospital discharge through to long-term recovery.

Held in Our Hearts brings over 40 years of experience in baby loss counselling and peer support. Their unique ‘opt-out’ approach ensures families are proactively offered support without needing to seek it out themselves. In 2024/25, around 90 families in Fife experienced the loss of a baby, and this service offers tailored support including counselling, sibling support, peer connections, and memory-making activities. The service complements NHS provision and helps ensure that no family is left to cope alone.

The success of the Hospital to Home model has also led to the project being shortlisted for the Outstanding Contribution to Pregnancy Loss and Bereavement Care category at the Royal College of Midwives Awards.

Annual Review 24/25

NHS Fife held its most recent Annual Review on Tuesday 28 October at Rothes Halls, Glenrothes. It provided an opportunity to look back at the achievements and challenges during the period, was attended by members of the public and featured a live Q&A. The event was recorded and can be viewed, along with written answers, at www.nhsfife.org/AR.

Awards success

We are delighted to share recent awards recognition celebrating the outstanding work of NHS Fife teams and individuals.

At Scotland’s Health Awards 2025, Dr Wayne Duggan won the Doctor Award for his exceptional dedication, skill, and leadership in delivering outstanding care and making a real difference to patients and colleagues. NHS Fife also celebrated two other finalists at the event: Anna Kurznakova for the Nurse Award and Gillian Davidson and the Communication First Aid Team for the Team Award.

Our Older Adult Community Mental Health Team in West Fife won the Excellence in Mental Health Nursing Practice Award at the Mental Health Nursing Forum 2025 in Glasgow, recognising their compassionate, person-centred care and innovative work supporting older adults across their area.

In addition, as mentioned earlier in this update, our midwifery team has been shortlisted for the Outstanding Contribution to Pregnancy Loss and Bereavement Award at the Royal College of Midwives Awards, thanks to their compassionate partnership with the charity Held in Our Hearts, which supports families grieving the loss of a baby or young child. This work, bridging the gap between hospital discharge and community care, is supported by Fife Health Charity, which has awarded nearly £40,000 to ensure no family is left without care.

Give the gift of a smile at Christmas charity campaign

NHS Fife’s official affiliated charity, Fife Health Charity, is inviting members of the public to help bring a smile to patients in hospital over the festive period. Its ‘Give the gift of a smile’ campaign aims to attract donations that will help provide gifts to patients in NHS Fife hospitals on Christmas morning.

Almost 1,000 gifts were delivered last Christmas and this year the campaign is aiming to build on that and bring even more smiles. Please consider supporting the campaign on your social media channels and help make the festive season brighter for everyone in NHS Fife’s 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 the 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 30 September can be viewed here. The next meeting takes place on Tuesday 25 November.

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.