Elected Members Update
for Fife’s MPs, MSPs and
local Councillors
This weekly update is part of our on-going commitment to keep you informed of the latest developments at NHS Fife that may be of interest to you and your constituents.We would also encourage you to regularly visit and refer your constituents for the latest news and updates from NHS Fife on our website:or follow us on our social media channels –Twitter, Facebook, Instagram.
We ask that Elected Members do not contact our staff directly with any queries around the national vaccination programme. Instead, please consult the Scottish Government’s vaccination programme webpage, the national vaccination information phone number on 0800 030 8013, or our own webpage for local updates.We endeavour to cover as much as possible in these updates, however if you believe that there is something that has not been addressed in this or previous editions, or is not available publicly from other sources, your email should be directed to the NHS Fife Chief Executive Office for response and co-ordination.A new guide, which is hosted on NHS Inform, aims to provide awareness and options for those who believe their appointment has gone missing, those looking to reschedule an appointment, and those aged 18-29 looking to register. It can be accessed here.
COVID-19 vaccination update
More than 235,000 people in Fife have received their first COVID-19 vaccination, which means the vast majority of people locally have a level of protection against the virus and its effects.It is important, however, that we don’t start take our eye off the ball. We know that COVID-19 is still circulating and the public health guidance around the use of face coverings and avoiding crowded places remains as important now as at any stage in the pandemic. Vaccination remains the best available protection against the virus and we would appreciate the support of Elected Members in encouraging everyone who is offered vaccination to take up that offer at the earliest opportunity.
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Priority order |
NHS Fife Status |
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Second doses provided to all care homes in Fife. |
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Majority of second doses complete. |
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Majority of second doses complete. |
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Majority of second doses complete. |
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Majority of second doses complete. |
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19,000 second doses complete. |
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15,000 second doses administered. |
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18,000 second doses administered. |
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17,000 second doses administered. |
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13,000 second dosesadministered. |
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Appointments started last week. |
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Self-registration open until Friday 11 June Appointments commence 11th June for self-registered people. For those who have not registered, letters will follow for appointments commencing 28th June. |
Steady rise in St Andrews COVID-19 cases
People in the St Andrews area are being asked to remain vigilant to the signs and symptoms of COVID-19 and seek testing after a rise in cases of the virus in the town. Cases have been steadily increasing over recent weeks, particularly amongst the student population. A mobile testing unit was deployed to the University of St Andrews to identify anyone who may be unknowingly carrying the virus without displaying symptoms. More information is available here.
Outbreak associated with Styx Pool Hall in Kirkcaldy
42 people with links to Styx Pool Hall in Kirkcaldy have tested positive for COVID-19. Our Public Health team have been working with the venue to trace patrons who were there on Saturday 29th May – part of this involved a public appeal for people who were there that night to come forward. Styx has voluntarily closed until Friday 11th June.
Vaccination drop-in clinics
This week we provided our first drop-in vaccination clinic at Lochgelly Centre (Thursday10th June). The clinic is for people who are over 40 years old and have not received their first dose vaccination or those who have waited eight or more weeks for their second dose of AstraZeneca (in any age category). At these clinics, people can drop in for vaccination without an appointment. Any future drop-in dates and venues will be communicated via our social media channels and local GP practices to keep people updated with the latest information.
Incorrect vaccination records
We are aware that some health boards are experiencing increased enquiries in relation to vaccination records being incorrect. Where any constituents encounterthis, we would encourage them to visit https://nhsnss.service-now.com/nssexternal or call the National helpline on 0800 030 8013.
18-29-year-old registration portal
We continue to invite 18-29-year olds to register for vaccination online or by phone before Friday, 11 June (an extended deadline), to get details of their appointment sent to them by email or text. Those not registering will be sent their appointment details by letter later. 18-29 year olds can register for the vaccine online here or by calling 0800 030 8013.Registration is particularly important for those who are planning to be away or have different term time addresses to ensure they still get details of their appointment as soon as possible as letters will be sent out to where they are registered with a GP.
Young carer vaccination
We continue to invite young people aged 16 and 17 who care for someone due to old age, physical or mental illness, disability, or an addiction to come forward and register for vaccination. They can do this by calling 0800 030 8013 or by joining the Carers Register.
Fertility reassurance
We are committed to offering a COVID-19 vaccine to everyone who is eligible. We also recognise that this can be a daunting prospect for people, and even more so for those who are trying for a family, or who are considering this in the near future These concerns are not unique to the COVID-19 vaccine and it is therefore important that people get accurate, clinical information:
- There is no evidence to suggest COVID-19 vaccines affect fertility in women or men.
- The JCVI recommend women who are trying to become pregnant do not need to avoid pregnancy after vaccination.
- The evidence remains that the benefits of the vaccine far outweigh the risks.
- You can get seriously ill from the virus or its serious side-effects at any age and the vaccine offers the best protection against this.
- Understanding the benefits and risk is the best way to make an informed choice and you should seek fertility advice from your local Health Care professionals for accurate information and guidance
- The latest evidence shows that the vaccine is safe for those undergoing fertility treatment, although timing around both treatments should be considered and discussed with fertility experts to make sure that you get the treatment and support that is right for you.
- There is no need to delay fertility treatment after having the COVID-19 vaccine.
Further information can be found here.
Vaccination venues in St Andrews, Dunfermline, and Oakley
The locations of vaccination clinics are continually reviewed to ensure ease of access for those attending, whilst maximising the throughput of people necessary to maintain the considerable pace of the vaccination programme. We have been looking at venues in the west and north-east of Fife to enable us to increase the number of mass vaccination clinics from four to six for the much larger cohorts 11(age 30-39) and 12 (age 18-29), as well as to deliver 2nd dose appointments.As a result, St Andrews Community Hospital will be used, along with a combination of Dunfermline East Church and Oakley Centre in west Fife, alongside the four large scale venues in Kirkcaldy, Dunfermline, Glenrothes and Methil.
Rescheduling appointments
For those who are unable to attend their assigned vaccination appointment, they can now reschedule online.The advice to people who are rescheduling their second dose vaccine is to book the next available appointment and that breach of the recommended 12-week period between first and second dose does not mean they have to restart their cycle. More information on rescheduling appointments is available here.
Vaccine progress data update
Public Health Scotland is now publishing daily statistical data on vaccinations in Scotland. The report includes data on; total vaccination – daily count and cumulative total, vaccination by age group, sex, and cohort (including percentage of population to receive first dose), and vaccination by location (health board and local authority area). The weekly statistical report issued by Public Health Scotland on 24/03/21 included a new section on ‘Equality of COVID-19 vaccination’ this week. This included national-level data on uptake rates by ethnicity and by level of deprivation. We would encourage elected members and media to use these resources as the main source for the latest data on COVID-19 vaccination figures. The Scottish Government’s COVID-19 Vaccine Deployment Plan can be found here.
Local COVID-19 data
You can find the latest COVID-19 statistical report here. The number of confirmed cases, people in hospital and ICU in Fife here.Local information around deaths is published weekly by National Records Scotland at 12 noon on a Wednesday; this includes a breakdown by setting and is sourced from all death registrations. This data can be found here. We have also produced a handy info graphic that we publish every week on the Know Fife website summarising the above data – this can be accessed here.
Schools and nurseries updates
During the last school term, NHS Fife and Fife Council jointly published information on COVID-19 cases connected to nurseries and schools. For this new school term NHS Fife and Fife Council will be publishing a weekly update on cases within local schools and nurseries.
More information is available here.
Community testing in Fife
Several testing sites are available across Fife for members of the public with symptoms. Anyone with the symptoms of COVID-19 should book a test at www.nhsinform.scot or call 0800 028 2816. If support is needed with the booking process, call 119.Testing for individuals without symptoms is available through our community testing sites – available to the public on a drop-in basis. Community testing sites are currently available at Glebe Centre, Kirkcaldy; Savoy Centre, Methil; Tryst Centre, Dunfermline, with mobile sites currently at Kinghorn Community Centre and the YMCA, Kirkcaldy.
Scottish Ambulance Service Mobile Units are also based at Hall Street Cowdenbeath, Kincardine Community Centre and St Andrews University’s David Russell Apartments, St Andrews, providing testing for individuals with and without symptoms. In addition, the testing site at Victory Memorial Hall, St Andrews, is now also open to individuals without symptoms. Appointments can be made in advance at any of these sites. Individuals who drop-in will need to register details before they leave.
Rapid home testing kits
COVID-19 rapid home testing kits are also now available to individuals who do not have symptoms, with members of the public encouraged to test themselves twice weekly. These free kits can be ordered online and delivered through the post, alternatively they can be picked up from testing sites at Glebe Centre, Kirkcaldy; Victory Memorial Hall, St Andrews; Overton Community Centre, Kirkcaldy; Regional Drive-Through Centre, Bankhead Car Park, Glenrothes; Glenrothes Miners Charitable Society, Glenrothes and the Dell Farquharson Community Centre, Dunfermline. Further information on testing in Fife can be found here.
The COVID-19 rapid home testing kits are also being extended for pick up at community pharmacies across Scotland. Participation is voluntary and it is for pharmacy owners to opt-in to provide the service. To date, 46 Fife pharmacies have signed up to the scheme and people can find their nearest participating outlet here.
Seasonal testing of agricultural workers
As Scotland enters its busiest agricultural period, the industry relies on foreign seasonal workers to meet production demands. A testing approach for seasonal workers, which enables farms to operate whilst also reducing the risk of COVID-19 outbreaks has now been agreed.In line with existing public health measures for all international travellers coming to Scotland, people arriving from outside the UK to work on Scottish farms need to go into self-isolation for 10 days.The testing approach agreed with the industry is that all workers will take a Polymerase Chain reaction (PCR) test on days two and eight of self-isolation so that new strains of COVID-19 can be identified quickly and effectively to break any potential chains of transmission.The Seasonal Workers Testing information document contains key information about the approach including details for farms and their employees and support channels available to staff who have to self-isolate because they test positive or are identified as a close contact.
EU settlement scheme
Our European Union and European Economic Area (EEA) staff remain a highly valued and appreciated group within the team that make-up the hard working and committed workforce that is NHS Fife. We are actively encouraging staff and their families, if they have not already done so, to apply under the EU Settlement Scheme for either Settled Status (indefinite leave to remain) or Pre-Settled Status (limited leave to remain for five years), before the end of the Brexit transition period on 30th June. A detailed guide to making an application under the settlement scheme can be here.
Hospital visiting restrictions
Everyone in hospital can now receive at least one named visitor. For those visiting a patient in hospital, infection control measures will remain in place, including physical distancing in communal areas, face coverings, hand hygiene stations, restricted movement around the hospital, and a clear instruction that visits should not take place if the visitor has COVID-19 symptoms or is isolating. Current arrangements, including guidance on visiting criteria and FAQS, can be found here.
Remobilisation of services
The Board has formally approved our remobilisation plan, following confirmation of approval by Scottish Government. As COVID-19 related admissions to our acute hospital continue to reduce, we are gradually remobilising elective and out-patient programmes. More information is available here.
Early cancer diagnosis centre
A new initiative to speed up cancer diagnosis and provide GPs with an alternative route to urgently refer patients has been launched across Scotland.Three Early Cancer Diagnostic Centres (ECDC), including one in Fife, will help pick up cancer earlier where patients do not meet referral guidelines.The centreswill provide GPs with an alternative route to urgently refer patients who have non-specific symptoms suspicious of cancer, such as weight loss, fatigue, pain and nausea, or where the doctor’s instinct is that cancer may be involved.A centre in Fife will play a key role in delivering earlier diagnosis and improved care, with fast-track diagnostic testing at one appointment, where possible. NHS Fife aims to diagnose or rule out cancer within 21 days of diagnosis.More information is available here.
Children’s and Adult Mental Health Services (CAMHS) waiting times
We were asked to comment on figures which show around 17.3% of children requiring mental health treatment in Fife have been waiting for over a year to be seen by CAMHS. A response was issued by Fife’s Health & Social Care Partnership, which acknowledged that the length of wait is unacceptable and addressing the issue is a priority. It was stated that a plan is in place with the aim of reducing the waiting list to zero by July 2022 and having Referral to Treatment (RTT) in line with the target by June 2022. An ongoing recruitment drive aims to increase the service’s capacity to meet the ongoing demand. It was added that the average waiting times for Fife CAMHS remains 11 weeks whilst those with the greatest need are routinely being seen within the same week of referral.
Unannounced inspection of wards at Victoria Hospital
Healthcare Improvement Scotland last week published a report of their unannouncedinspection of wards at the Victoria Hospital. The report highlighted seven areas of good practice and noted two areas where action is required. More information is available here.
Board member recruitment
We are looking for three new members to join our Board. As non-executive members of the Board, they will be expected to play a central role in guiding the strategies which address the health priorities and health care needs of communities across Fife. They will also be offered the training they will need to make a strong contribution.More information is available here.
New Bus Stop Café at Victoria Hospital
Last week, a new Bus Stop Café was opened on Ward 32 at the Victoria Hospital. The Café is 1960’s themed and provides a reminiscence space for elderly patients and visiting family. Read more here.
Sharing our messages
We appreciate the support of elected members in sharing our health messages and note that you have already been engaging with the topics we have suggested on social media – we are grateful for your support. As such, and in order to help you share our messages with the public in as vibrant a way as possible, we have created a dedicated campaigns area on our website where you will be able to download graphics, videos and any other resources to complement your posts.
Help us to help you keep your constituents informed
NHS Fife would ask our elective representatives to share our regular updates and guidance via their own channels of communications with their constituents. By supporting us you can help to ensure that we can reach as many people across Fife in a timely manner.
Keep in touchElected members enquiriesNHS Fife is committed to responding to elected member enquires in a timely manner. However, we need to manage enquiries to ensure that our urgent frontline delivery is not disrupted. To help you and to help us we are asking that all emails for updates and information or to address constituents’ enquiries are directed to our central email address. All emails should be directed to the NHS Fife Chief Executive Office for response and co-ordination at: fife.chiefexecutive@nhs.scot The Chief Executives’ Office will formally acknowledge receipt of all correspondence and coordinate a response from services to ensure that all enquiries are responded to in good time. Elected members are politely asked not to approach services directly for responses and instead direct all enquiries to the Chief Executive’s Office.Also, during this busy period can we ask that you make use of the excellent public information available on the NHS Fife Website, NHS Inform and the Scottish Government website and only come to us if the request relates specifically to Fife and not covered by local or national updates or guidance.To aid the sharing of information and updates with Fife’s elected representatives we will now be issuing or Elected Members briefing on a weekly rather than fortnightly basis. This will be emailed directly to you and available to access online at: www.nhsfife.org/emu This update will also collate and address any common or shared requests for information from Elected members, received via the Chief Executive’s Office, rather than us having to address each individual enquiry. Accessible information and translationNHS Fife continues to provide interpreting and translation services for patients despite there being no face to face interpretation currently. These assets and further information can be found here. Board papers accessible onlineBoard papers from previous meetings can be accessed online here. |
Issued by NHS Fife Communications