A newly refurbished older adult mental health ward at Queen Margaret Hospital, Dunfermline, has officially opened today, marking a significant milestone in NHS Fife’s ongoing commitment to improving mental health services for communities across Fife.
Ward 3 was formally opened by Tom Arthur MSP, Minister for Social Care, Mental Wellbeing and Sport, following a £3 million refurbishment funded through Scottish Government funding over a two-year period.
The modernised ward provides a safer, more therapeutic and dignified environment for older adults requiring inpatient mental health care, as well as improved facilities for staff and visiting families.
The investment in Ward 3 forms part of a wider, long-term vision for the Queen Margaret Hospital site and NHS Fife’s Mental Health Strategy focused on delivering high-quality, compassionate care in environments that support recovery, wellbeing and independence.
During the visit, the Minister also welcomed confirmation of a further £12 million investment from the Scottish Government to support mental health refurbishment works over the next two years. This funding will enable improvements to Wards 1, 2 and 4 at Queen Margaret Hospital, alongside further works at Lynebank Hospital and Stratheden Hospital, helping to modernise facilities across the mental health estate.
Tom Arthur MSP said:
“This £3 million refurbishment of Ward 3 at Queen Margaret Hospital highlights our commitment to improving mental health care for older people in Scotland. Modern, welcoming, and therapeutic environments play a key role in supporting recovery, dignity, and wellbeing. I’m also pleased to see further investment planned across NHS Fife’s mental health services, benefiting patients, families, and staff for years to come.”
Carol Potter , NHS Fife Chief Executive said:
“The opening of Ward 3 represents much more than a building upgrade, it reflects our ambition and responsibility to provide the best possible care for the people we serve. This investment allows us to offer a more supportive, calming and fit-for-purpose environment for older adults receiving mental health care, while also improving working conditions for our staff. We are grateful for the continued support and funding from the Scottish Government, which will enable us to extend these improvements across other wards and hospital sites as part of our Mental Health Strategy.”
Queen Margaret Hospital continues to play a vital role in delivering health and care services for west Fife and beyond. The refurbishment of Ward 3, alongside planned future works, underlines NHS Fife’s commitment to sustained investment, innovation and improvement ensuring services meet the needs of today while planning confidently for the future.
