Non-urgent operations ‘considerably reduced’ at Victoria Hospital

NHS Fife has confirmed the move as Victoria Hospital in Kirkcaldy faces a major rise in the number of admissions.

The region’s health bosses have already warned of a tough winter ahead after battling “unrelenting” pressures on services over two extended Bank Holiday weekends at the festive period.

The hospital’s A&E department is dealing with record numbers, and many more acutely unwell people need admission after contracting COVID-19, flu and other seasonal illnesses.

One MSP, Roz McCall, has claimed that a whistle blower told her the Vic was at crisis point, and had reached the criteria to declare a major incident - but had been ordered not to.

The claim was firmly rejected by First Minister Nicola Sturgeon when the matter was raised at the Scottish Parliament last week.

Ms McCall, a Tory list MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, said: ‘’The First Minister … has not given the residents of Fife the investigation they deserve. I will continue to push for an investigation and will not rest till I have answers. The fact that patients had to wait over nine hours for emergency treatment is a terrifying thought for residents.’’

NHS Fife has confirmed the capacity for elective surgery at the Vic has been “considerably reduced” - but Queen Margaret Hospital in Dunfermline continues without any significant disruption.

Claire Dobson, director of acute services, said: “We have experienced unprecedented pressures on our services in recent weeks, with a significant rise in the numbers of people requiring admission to hospital after contracting Covid-19, flu and other seasonal illnesses.

“The decision to postpone any procedure is not one which is ever taken lightly, and those at greatest clinical need continue to be prioritised to be seen first.

“We will continue to maximise our surgical capacity and perform as many elective procedures as we can carry out safely.”

The latest developments come as figures showed that the Victoria Hospital saw just 48% of A&E patients within the prescribed four-hour Scottish Government target.