06/01/2016
NHS Fife is to temporarily bring together all intravenous Chemotherapy treatment at the Victoria Hospital over the coming weeks.
Intravenous treatment was previously provided at two sites in Fife – the Haematology / Oncology Unit based at the Victoria Hospital in Kirkcaldy, along with a smaller satellite unit based at Queen Margaret Hospital, Dunfermline.
These treatments must be administered by a specialist team of highly-trained nursing and medical staff. Over recent weeks and months, the Haematology / Oncology service has experienced an increased pressure due to rise in the numbers of specialist nurses on maternity leave, sick leave or being newly appointed nurses requiring further specialist training.
It has become necessary, therefore, to consolidate treatment at a single site, with the support and engagement of the existing workforce, to maintain the provision of high quality, safe and effective care. This means a number of patients moving to Victoria Hospital from Queen Margaret Hospital for intravenous Chemotherapy, however, all blood transfusions and oral treatments will continue to be provided at Queen Margaret Hospital.
Of the decision to temporarily move intravenous chemotherapy treatment to the Victoria Hospital, NHS Fife Lead Clinician for Cancer, Dr Steven Monaghan, said:
“Temporarily consolidating treatment on a single site will enable us to continue to provide high quality, safe and effective treatment for all of those who require it.
“The demand for intravenous Chemotherapy has increased over recent years, and will continue to do so. NHS Fife has taken a number of proactive measures to meet this rising demand, including increasing this specialist workforce, with a number of newly appointed nurses currently undergoing specialist training. This will ensure that we can maintain the delivery of these specialist services moving forward.
“We committed to providing the best quality care as close to home as possible and we are working to resume the full service at Queen Margaret Hospital.”