Health and Social Care top of agenda

 

Issues must be addressed

 

Fife Council leader Alex Rowley met with NHS Fife bosses on Friday and set out his concerns around the new hospital in Kirkcaldy. The Labour leader also confirmed to NHS Chairman Professor James McGoldrick and Chief Executive John Wilson that the new administration in Fife Council will put health and social care at the heart of their policy agenda.

Mr Rowley also confirmed that Independent Councillor and long term health campaigner Andrew Rodger will be confirmed by the new administration as the Council representative on Fife Health Board at the Fife Council meeting this Thursday.

Mr Rowley said; “During the election campaign I found the issue of the new hospital coming up again and again on the door steps. Concerns range from extreme waiting times in accident and emergency to staff being run off their feet and the fact that none of the windows in the new hospital are able to be opened. I have made clear that where local constituents are raising such issues, local councillors will be a voice for action.

“I also emphasised that the new administration in Fife will want to drive an agenda for change and improvement in health and social care and that our representative on NHS Fife Board will also have a place on the new Council Executive.

“I informed the Chairman and the CEO that the new administration has asked cllr Andrew Rodger to serve on the NHS Fife Board as the Fife Council representative and I am delighted that Andrew has agreed. We will therefore be moving Andrew to take this position at Thursday’s Council meeting. The fact that this health position will also sit on the executive highlights the importance we place on health and social care in Fife.

“We must bring about radical change that will achieve major improvements in health and in a new health and social care service. Andrew Rodger as well as being a passionate campaigner on such issues has a proven track record and is the most able and knowledgeable person in this field and I am delighted he will be put forward by the administration for this position on Thursday.

“The new administration will work with NHS Fife and the Scottish Government to ensure that a new approach brings about a more focused health and social care service where the false barriers between NHS Fife and Fife Council are removed and a new health and social care service without duplication that can focus the resources where they are most needed is created”.

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Post Author: Alex Rowley

http://www.alexrowley.org/about/