Employment Tribunal ruling
NHS Fife acknowledges the recent Employment Tribunal ruling.
We recognise that this has been a complex and lengthy process and acknowledge the consideration of Judge Kemp and the tribunal panel.
The employment tribunal unanimously dismissed all the Claimant’s allegations against Dr Upton and all the allegations against the Board apart from four specific aspects of the harassment complaint.
We recognise how difficult this tribunal has been for everyone directly and indirectly involved. Our focus now is to ensure that NHS Fife remains a supportive and inclusive environment for all employees and our patients and to deliver health and care to the population of Fife.
Statements issued in relation to the Employment Tribunal can be viewed here.
Chief Executive to take early retirement
NHS Fife Chief Executive, Carol Potter, has announced her intention to take early retirement following a long and distinguished career in the NHS spanning more than 30 years.
Carol took up post as Interim Chief Executive in January 2020 before being appointed permanently to the role in September 2020. During her tenure as Chief Executive, Carol has steered NHS Fife through one of the most challenging periods in health and social care, leading the organisation’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic. More information is available here.
NHS dental provision update
NHS Fife is continuing work to increase access to NHS dental care across the region.
A new dental practice, KY Dental Studios in Glenrothes, is preparing to open and will progress to its final preopening inspection once building work and required documentation are complete. NHS Fife is also processing applications from dentists who wish to provide NHS care, and the practice will be able to open for NHS patients once both steps are complete.
Separately, NHS Fife has been made aware of early interest from a dental company considering the purchase of an existing practice in Glenrothes. While no formal application has been received, any new or transferred practice must first meet the standard NHS inspection requirements and have its dentists formally registered before offering NHS services.
Recruitment and retention of dentists and wider dental staff remain key challenges affecting how quickly practices can progress. Nationally, work is underway between UK Ministers and the General Dental Council to improve the system for registering overseastrained dentists, with the aim of strengthening the workforce while maintaining patient safety.
Importantly, NHS Fife can confirm that 10 dental practices across the region are currently able to register new NHS patients, reflecting a positive improvement in access for local communities.
Gynaecology waiting times
Following recent media coverage regarding gynaecology appointment waiting times, we are providing the following update for awareness.
Public Health Scotland figures show that between 1 August and 31 October 2025, 266 patients received gynaecology treatment in Fife, with most patients seen within 33 weeks and a median waiting time of 10 weeks. During the same period, 2,518 patients attended their first gynaecology outpatient appointment, also with a median waiting time of 10 weeks.
NHS Fife continues to prioritise patients according to clinical need and has implemented a range of measures to help minimise waiting times. These include a review of the endometriosis pathway, the rescheduling of appointments where appropriate, and referral of a cohort of patients to the Regional Endometriosis Treatment Centre for specialist care.
In addition, NHS Fife has invested in service improvements, including the opening of a dedicated Gynaecology Treatment Centre at Queen Margaret Hospital. This new facility is designed to enhance patient experience, increase capacity, and support further reductions in waiting times
Hospital at Home
Hospital at Home remains a key local and national priority, with the Scottish Government aiming to expand services by 2,000 virtual beds across Scotland.
In Fife, our established Hospital at Home service is undergoing planned transformation to support these ambitions and to meet the evolving needs of our population.
We are introducing a new ‘hub and spoke’ model to strengthen the service’s resilience and longterm sustainability. Under these plans, the central hub for the service in central and west Fife will be in Kirkcaldy, while an operational base will continue at Queen Margaret Hospital in Dunfermline. This approach will ensure timely and effective care for patients across Dunfermline and southwest Fife.
Our commitment to delivering safe, effective care at home for frail and elderly patients remains unchanged. The changes being introduced are designed to enhance the quality of care and expand access to the service.
We recognise the vital role of our skilled workforce and are committed to ongoing, meaningful engagement with staff as the model develops, ensuring any concerns are understood and addressed. We will continue to keep staff, partners and stakeholders informed as this work progresses.
Stratheden Hospital site
NHS Fife and the Fife Health and Social Care Partnership continue to progress planned improvements at Stratheden Hospital to ensure mental health services are delivered in safe, modern and therapeutic environments.
A small number of older buildings on the site, which are no longer suitable for modern healthcare, have remained unused for some time. These structures are currently maintained for safety, but NHS Fife is seeking funding to enable their safe removal, which would allow the site to be used more efficiently and improve overall safety and usability for patients, visitors and staff.
Alongside this, NHS Fife has received national investment as part of a wider programme to refurbish and upgrade mental health facilities across Fife, including at Stratheden, Lynebank and Queen Margaret Hospital. Intensive psychiatric care and other core mental health services will continue to be delivered at Stratheden, where recent improvements are complemented by ongoing work to explore longterm masterplanning options for the site. These developments support NHS Fife’s commitment to modern, patientcentred mental health care and to ensuring that facilities remain safe, functional and fit for the future.
Flu
Flu continues to circulate in communities across Fife, and NHS Fife is maintaining robust infection prevention and control measures in response.
To help mitigate its effects within our sites, staff are following current guidance, which is reviewed regularly. Patients or visitors may be asked to wear a mask in certain areas depending on local risk assessments.
We strongly encourage all eligible constituents, staff and members of the public, to take up the flu vaccination, which continues to offer the best protection against serious illness.
We are also using a range of communication channels, including our website and social media, to keep the public informed about how to minimise the spread of infections and to remind people of the current arrangements for visiting hospital sites. Please consider sharing our messaging
AI helping reduce MR waiting times
NHS Fife has fully adopted Deep Resolve, an advanced AI system that makes MRI scans faster, more accurate, and more comfortable for patients. The innovation is already making a huge difference, with 1,900 extra appointments completed since March and improved patient experience at both Victoria Hospital and Queen Margaret Hospital.
MRI uses strong magnets and radio waves to create detailed images of the body, especially soft tissues such as the brain, muscles, and vital organs. More information is available here.
Heated mattresses helping families bring their babies home sooner
Heated mattresses are helping Fife families bring their babies home sooner. For many babies, particularly those who are pre-term or have low birth weight, regulating body temperature can be a challenge.
Our neonatal community team trains families on how to use the mattresses following safe sleep advice, visits them regularly, and supports them with all their needs to make the transition. So far this year, 19 babies have settled at home with a heated mattress.
More information is available here.
Understanding the Burden of Disease in Fife report
NHS Fife has shared new analysis on the main causes of poor health and early death locally, showing that conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, cancer, mental health problems, musculoskeletal issues, lung disease, dementia, and alcohol or drugrelated harms have the biggest impact on people in Fife.
The report - ‘Understanding the Burden of Disease in Fife’ (Page 131 onward), also highlights that almost twothirds of overall health loss is due to people dying earlier than expected, and that some communities – particularly Levenmouth and Cowdenbeath – continue to experience much higher rates of serious illness and hospital admissions.
The findings confirm that NHS Fife’s Population Health and Wellbeing Strategy is focused on the right priorities, especially prevention, early support and tackling health inequalities, although more work is needed on musculoskeletal health. The Board has agreed to continue strengthening work in these areas to help improve longterm health outcomes and reduce the gaps between different communities across Fife.
NHS Fife hosts prestigious urological surgery training course
We were delighted to welcome leading surgeons from across Scotland to Queen Margaret Hospital for the BAUS Residential Operative Endourology Course.
The advanced training event showcased the latest techniques in urological surgery and underlined our commitment to delivering excellence in patient care and professional development. Queen Margaret Hospital in Dunfermline has established itself as a centre of excellence for urological surgery, pioneering innovative day-case procedures that reduce recovery times and improve patient outcomes. More information is available here.
Fife Health and Social Care Partnership Strategic Plan
Fife Health and Social Care Partnership’s Strategic Plan sets out its shared roadmap for improving health and social care across Fife. It outlines the outcomes the body aims to achieve, the actions required to deliver them, and the way NHS Fife and Fife Council will work together with communities to support better health and wellbeing.
The Partnership is currently inviting feedback to ensure the plan reflects the priorities that matter most to the people of Fife. Constituents can share their views here.
Winter Ready campaign
WE have launched our Winter Ready campaign, which provides clear advice and practical support to help people stay well during the colder months and know where to turn when they need care. The campaign brings together trusted guidance on managing common winter illnesses, when to contact NHS 24 or GP services, how local pharmacies can help, and ways to look after mental health and wellbeing. It also highlights the importance of winter vaccinations and the support available for carers, older people and vulnerable groups.
Regular updates and seasonal health information will be shared throughout winter via the NHS Fife website and social media channels. Further details can be found here.
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 25 November can be viewed here. The next meeting takes place on Tuesday 27 January.
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.