Main updates

Re-form, Transform, Perform (RTP) update

Since our last update, we have been continuing to develop the detail of our revised financial plans as we work towards delivering the 7% saving required of us by the Scottish Government.

Across the four workstreams we outlined as part of our RTP programme in the last edition of this update (medicines, workforce, service delivery and design, and infrastructure/digital), we are beginning to take decisions designed to release immediate and often significant efficiency savings.

Phased closure of three administration buildings

Following a study of building occupancy rates and working patterns across our estate, last week we informed staff based in Hayfield, Haig, and Cameron houses that there would be a phased closure of these office-based sites from the end of March, which is anticipated to save around £650,000 per year.

This significant saving is largely driven by removing the costs associated with utility charges, repairs, business rates, and particularly maintenance backlog, which it is estimated would cost around £2million to undertake.

Post-COVID we have seen daily occupancy rates drop at these sites with many teams and individuals adopting an agile-working approach. People impacted by the phased closures will still have the option of working at dedicated hot-desking locations across our estate, as is a model adopted across the public sector, and we are also working in partnership with colleagues at Fife Council to set up shared spaces at some local authority sites.

Vaccination centre relocation

As part of our infrastructure workstream we are relocating the immunisation centre at the former Argos store in the Kingdom Centre, Glenrothes, to the nearby Pitteuchar Health Centre.

This not only returns significant savings in premises rental and utilities costs, but also provides a more fit-for-purpose vaccination venue with easy access to free car parking and public transport links. The timescale for this move will be implemented to complement the start of the summer vaccination programme in early July. 

Medicines savings

Our medicines workstream is currently working on the delivery a co-ordinated scheme of medicines optimisation projects, and around £2million worth of projected savings have so far been identified. These savings have been predominantly driven by alternative but equally effective medicines being prescribed to patients and revised procurement and contract arrangements.

Keeping staff informed and empowered

Again, we reiterate our ongoing commitment to being as open and transparent with our staff as possible throughout this challenging time. We are providing regular updates through organisational briefings, and we have also created a dedicated line of contact where staff are being empowered and encouraged to identify inefficiencies and potential savings in their own areas.

Endocrinology and neurology patients to receive text or phone call

From this week, we are contacting patients on our endocrinology and neurology waiting lists to ask them whether they still need their appointment or operation.

Patients will receive a text message or a phone call to their landline to ensure that the information we have is as up to date as possible, and whether their needs may have changed. More information is available here.

COVID and pneumococcal vaccination update

A spring dose of the COVID-19 vaccine is recommended for the following groups of people:

  • those aged 75 years and over on 30 June 2024 (i.e. born on or before 30 June 1949)
  • those living in a care home for older adults
  • those aged six months or over (by or on 31 March 2024) and who have a weakened immune system

Constituents will be contacted directly about their appointments. For more information, or to book or reschedule, they can visit NHS Inform.

If a constituent or their child has a health condition, they may be eligible for a pneumococcal vaccine to protect against illnesses including meningitis and pneumonia. Constituents can check their eligibility here.

New purple tunics helping distinguish ANP and ENP roles

We are introducing a distinctive tunic to better identify the advanced and emergency nurse practitioners working across local healthcare sites.

ANPs and ENPs are registered nurses who have undertaken advanced academic and clinical training. These highly experienced nurses work across hospitals, community care, and GP practices.

As part of a national pilot, ANPs and ENPs will wear purple tunics, which replace the cornflower blue ones. Research shows the benefits of wearing the purple tunics include enhanced role visibility in emergency situations, clearer identification for patients and visitors, and increased trust and confidence in decision making. The pilot is being overseen by the Advanced Practice Academies in collaboration with the University of Glasgow.

GP and pharmacy closures over Easter long weekend

With many pharmacies and GPs closing over the Easter long weekend, we have been encouraging people to ensure that they are on top of any prescriptions they may rely upon.

Some prescriptions can take a few days to arrange so it is important that constituents order in good time.

If a constituent requires non-urgent healthcare over the Easter long weekend, they should visit our Right Care, Right Place pages for information on the best service, or call NHS on 111. In an emergency they should always call 999.

Oak trees planted as part of greenspace aspirations

Our sustainability team have planted 12 oak trees across the NHS Fife estate. In collaboration with the Akin project, who donated the trees, the planting is another step towards achieving our greenspace aspirations and creating a greener future for everyone.

Akin is a long-term, large scale, participatory, public artwork in which oak trees are being planted across Fife to create a ‘future forest’.  The project began in 2013 and is intended to be realised and continued many years into our shared future.

More information about our sustainability and greenspace aspirations can be viewed here.

NHS Fife Board

Board papers: papers from the latest meeting of the NHS Fife Board on January 30 2024, including the latest Integrated Quality and Performance Report (IQPR), can be viewed here. The next meeting will take place on Tuesday 26 March 2024.

NHS Performs

As referenced at the top of this document, NHS Performs brings together a range of information on how NHS Fife is performing, including A&E performance, cancelled operations, delayed discharges, and diagnostic waiting times. The latest information can be viewed here.

Workforce information

NHS Education for Scotland publishes a quarterly update on workforce related information, including the number of staff directly employed by NHS Fife and the number of vacant posts for nursing and midwifery staff, allied health professions, and medical and dental consultants.

The interactive dashboard also outlines trends over time and references other useful information such as sickness absence rates, staff age profile, and spend on agency and bank. The latest publication can be viewed here.