THERE'S a new health chief in charge of accident and emergency in the Kingdom with the appointment of Claire Dobson.

She's taking on the post of director of acute services and will also be responsible for the operational leadership of planned care, women and children’s care and clinical support services.

Ms Dobson has a challenge on her hands with NHS Fife admitting last week that A&E has never been busier while there are also staff shortages and teething problems as services try to get back to speed after the impact of the pandemic.

The health board's chief executive, Carol Potter, said: “I am delighted to be able to formally announce Claire’s appointment and I have worked with her at NHS Fife for a number of years now.

"Claire brings extensive operational knowledge and experience as both a clinician and manager within health and care across Fife, as well as leading strategic change.

“During the last 18 months, Claire has provided strong leadership across both the health and social care partnership in her role as general manager for the west division and more recently as the interim director of acute services.

"This unique experience of whole system working will be a huge asset to the organisation, particularly as we continue to remobilise and redesign services and recover from the Covid- 19 pandemic.

"Her appointment will also ensure further stability and resilience as, together, colleagues across NHS Fife address the challenges ahead.”

Ms Dobson took up the role of interim director of acute services in September last year, having previously held the position of divisional general manager in Fife's Health and Social Care Partnership for six years.

She started her NHS career in 1995 in Fife, having graduated as a physiotherapist from Glasgow Caledonian University, and has worked across acute, primary care and social care in clinical, managerial and strategic roles.

The new director completed a Masters in Integrated Service Improvement.

She said: “I am absolutely delighted to be appointed as director of acute services.

"I look forward to working closely with colleagues across all our acute services and in collaboration with our partners in the public and third sectors, including Fife Health and Social Care, to address a range of contributing factors which impact on the health of individuals and their requirement to access hospital based services across Fife.

"By working together, we will continue to see further improvements in health and care provision and ensure that we continue to meet the needs of our local population in all communities across Fife.”