25 May 2026 | NHS Fife

Following the outcome of the Scottish Parliamentary elections, we would like to extend our congratulations to those elected to represent the NHS Fife area. We look forward to working with you over the course of the new parliamentary term.

For newly elected MSPs, and as a reminder to all elected members, we would advise that to ensure accurate and timely responses from NHS Fife, all enquiries from elected members should be directed to fife.electedmember@nhs.scot for response and co-ordination.

Members are politely reminded not to approach services or individual members of staff directly for responses.

Enquiries and responses are sighted by the chief executive of the organisation.

Lower Melville Wood fire

NHS Fife is one of several agencies involved in the response to the recent fire at Lower Melville Wood, near Ladybank.

The fire is now under control and there is no indication of any long-term health risks. The overall risk to the public remains low. NHS Fife issued public health guidance to residents in affected areas, which can be viewed here.

Community pharmacy provision on Sundays

Following several enquiries from elected members regarding community pharmacy provision on Sundays, NHS Fife can provide the following update.

Arrangements in Fife continue to reflect the national contractual framework, which does not currently include Sunday opening within core commissioned community pharmacy services. While some pharmacy contractors may choose to open on Sundays as part of their own discretionary business arrangements, this is not a requirement of the contract, meaning availability varies across different localities.

Constituents who require access to pharmacy services on a Sunday are advised to consult the NHS Inform website, which provides the most up-to-date information on which pharmacies are open and available to support patient needs. In critical emergencies, constituents should always dial 999.

New Nursing, Midwifery and Allied Health Professional Strategy launched

NHS Fife has launched its new Nursing, Midwifery and Allied Health Professionals (NMAHP) Strategy. The strategy sets out a shared vision for the future of our NMAHP workforce through to 2030.

Developed in partnership with staff, it reflects what matters most to those delivering care every day and provides a clear direction for the years ahead. At its heart are three key priorities focused on supporting wellbeing, belonging and development; improving how we work and deliver care; and helping people live healthier lives for longer.

Read the strategy

Milestone delivery of 100 Endoscopic Ultrasound procedures

NHS Fife has marked a significant milestone in the delivery of specialist diagnostic services, with its Endoscopic Ultrasound (EUS) team completing 100 procedures since the service was introduced last year.

EUS is a minimally invasive procedure that combines an endoscope with ultrasound imaging to provide detailed views of the digestive tract and surrounding organs, including the pancreas, liver and bile ducts. It plays an important role in diagnosing a range of conditions and is particularly valuable in the early detection and assessment of cancers.

Prior to the introduction of this service within Fife, patients requiring EUS investigations were routinely referred to NHS Lothian. The establishment of a local service now enables patients to access the same high standard of specialist care closer to home, helping to reduce the need for travel, support faster diagnosis and improve overall patient experience.

NHS Fife adopts Buy Social Pledge to benefit local communities

NHS Fife has formally adopted the Buy Social Pledge in partnership with Social Enterprise Scotland, reinforcing its commitment to supporting local communities through its purchasing decisions.

By integrating social enterprises into its supply chains, the pledge contributes to community wealth building, helping to keep resources circulating locally, create fair and ethical employment opportunities, and strengthen community-led businesses. It also supports the reinvestment of value into wider social and environmental benefits.

This commitment reflects NHS Fife’s role as an Anchor Organisation, using its influence to promote fairer outcomes through how it spends, employs and collaborates. Adopting the Buy Social approach also aligns with the organisation’s Net Zero ambitions, while ensuring continued compliance with statutory and organisational responsibilities. NHS Fife looks forward to working with suppliers, partners and social enterprises across Scotland to maximise the positive impact of this commitment.

Ecotherapy garden opened at Queen Margaret Hospital

A new ecotherapy garden has opened at Queen Margaret Hospital, providing a calm and supportive outdoor environment for patients, carers and staff. The space has been designed to promote wellbeing and aid recovery through connection with nature.

The garden features accessible planting, outdoor consultation areas and a wheelchair-accessible planting bed, ensuring it can be used by a wide range of individuals. It will play an important role in supporting people living with chronic pain, forming part of NHS Fife’s wider person-centred approach to pain management.

Developed with sustainability and long-term use in mind, the ecotherapy garden complements the hospital’s existing Haven Garden, offering a choice of peaceful, restorative spaces away from the clinical setting.

School nursing service wins national RCN award

We are proud to share that Fife’s School Nursing Service has been named winner of the Royal College of Nursing Scotland’s (RCN) Children’s Nursing and Midwifery Award 2026.

The award recognises an outstanding contribution to the care of children and young people, or mothers‑to‑be and new parents. The team was recognised for its leadership, innovation and compassion, delivering safe, person‑centred care for children, young people and families. This includes maintaining a 99% appointment offer rate within 28 days.

Using quality improvement approaches and self‑referral QR codes, the service has improved accessibility and empowered young people to shape support around key priorities, including mental health, sexual health and child protection. Judges praised the team’s progressive, prevention‑focused approach, highlighting how QR self‑referral enables young people to access timely, confidential support. More information is available here.

Open access vaccination clinics running across summer

Open access vaccination clinics will be running at venues across Fife this summer. People can drop in to get protected, with no appointment necessary. Vaccinations available include Covid, shingles, pneumococcal, HPV and RSV.

NHS Fife is encouraging anyone who is eligible to take up the opportunity to stay up to date with their vaccinations and protect themselves and others. Constituents can find venues, times and eligibility

Blue-green algae warning

We are reminding the public to remain aware of the potential presence of blue-green algae blooms in local waterways.

Blue-green algae are naturally occurring microscopic organisms found in lochs, ponds, reservoirs, rivers and coastal waters. During warmer months, particularly in still or slow-moving water, they can multiply quickly and form visible blooms. These may discolour the water, giving it a green, blue-green or brown appearance, and can form surface scums or mats along the shoreline.

Some types of blue-green algae can produce toxins; however, it is not possible to determine whether a bloom is harmful by appearance alone. Contact with affected water can lead to illness in both people and animals. NHS Fife is advising the public to remain vigilant and avoid contact with algal blooms, particularly those taking part in water-based activities, anglers and dog owners.