Question:
Confirmation is sought on the rumour that two wards are to close at Stratheden Hospital near Cupar.
The following quote was sent to the reporter:
"Half the hospital is going to be shut down or bulldozed to save money.
"There will only be the IPCU (Hollyview Intensive Psychiatric Care Unit), the Lomond Ward and another assessment ward remaining.
"It means elderly people are going to have to travel right across Fife to the likes of Queen Margaret Hospital or Lynebank in Dunfermline."
A comment is also requested.
Response:
A spokesperson for the Fife Health and Social Care Partnership said:
“We are in the process of developing plans to enhance our mental health services, which may include relocating a small number of wards. The aim is to ensure that patients are cared for in environments that are modern, high-quality, and more conducive to therapeutic recovery.
“In recent years, we’ve made significant investments to upgrade some of our mental health facilities as part of the Fife Mental Health Strategy. As we move into the next phase, we are exploring options to relocate wards that no longer meet current standards to more suitable areas within our estate. This will help us provide care in settings that are safer, more comfortable, and better suited to the needs of our patients. Acute assessment, intensive psychiatric services, and inpatient care for older people will continue to be delivered at Stratheden Hospital.
“We have been, and are committed to, engaging closely with staff, patients, and families throughout this process. Their insights and experiences will help to shape these improvements. The proposed changes reflect our ongoing commitment to high-quality care and aim to strengthen service provision to better meet the needs of our communities now and in the future.”
On the unused buildings at Stratheden Hospital, a spokesperson for NHS Fife added:
“There are parts of the Stratheden Hospital site that have not been in use for some time and are no longer suitable for modern healthcare delivery. While these buildings are currently maintained to ensure site safety, this comes at a considerable cost.
“We are actively seeking funding to support the safe removal of these unused buildings. This would allow us to make more effective use of our resources and further improve the safety and functionality of the hospital site for patients, staff, and visitors.”
[ENDS]
