After it was announced that the Haematology Unit at the Queen Margaret Hospital was set to close, Liberal Democrat Councillors Aude Boubaker-Calder and James Calder have put forward a motion to be discussed at the City of Dunfermline Area Committee of 25^th April.

Councillor Aude Boubaker-Calder, who is proposing the motion, has said, “Once again despite being the biggest settlement in Fife and one of Scotland’s fastest growing cities, Dunfermline is once again the poor sibling in Fife when it comes to healthcare. Time and time again we are seeing closure of wards after closure of wards including the A&E service, the palliative care in February, the chemotherapy services and the threat of closing the hospice. I am saying now – enough is enough!

“I have raised this motion to ask NHS Fife to provide a full explanation to councillors but also to rethink this decision. I had a close family member recently who went through chemotherapy, and if they had to travel all the way from the West of Fife to Kirkcaldy, it would have been extremely difficult for them.

“I also think our MSP should ask the Scottish Government, that she is part of, to intervene on this decision.

“We should be seeing more, not less, not less services at the Queen Margaret Hospital, especially now that Dunfermline is a City. I am fed up with us losing out time and time again and will keep fighting for local services.”

Councillor James Calder, who is seconding the motion, added, “We have a fantastic facility in the Queen Margaret Hospital, but it is being underutilised.

“I firmly believe that we should be pushing for as much healthcare as possible being delivered locally.

“I know that many residents feel the same, and I hope that we can get cross-party support on this motion to demonstrate that we need an end to local health closures.” 

Text of the motion below:

Queen Margaret Hospital Haematology Closure

The City of Dunfermline Area Committee notes that the Queen Margaret Haematology Unit has recently closed, requiring residents of Dunfermline and West Fife having to travel to Kirkcaldy for gruelling Chemotherapy treatments.

The Committee believes that as a growing City, Dunfermline deserves the best possible healthcare, and that this decision should be reconsidered.

The Committee therefore resolves to ask the City of Dunfermline Area Convener to write to NHS Fife asking for an explanation and reconsideration of this decision.

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