A NEW GP contract has been awarded to the High Valleyfield surgery, which has been badly affected by staffing problems.

Last year members of the public were left with no choice but to drive to Dunfermline to access healthcare and a campaign was started by the community council with people fearing it would take a death to solve the issues at the practice. 

Labour councillor Graeme Downie, who represents the West Fife and coastal villages ward, said: "The local community has led the campaign for improvements at Valleyfield surgery. 

"This news has been a long time coming and it is very welcome that the contract for GP services has finally been awarded.”

READ MORE: Villagers fear it will take a death to solve West Fife GP surgery problems

Last year, the Press reported that ongoing problems with staffing levels at the surgery had meant patients had been unable to book advanced appointments.

They were faced with an 8am free-for-all which meant those with non-urgent medical issues were put to the back of the queue.

A tender process was launched in the autumn by NHS Fife to find new GP contractors for Valleyfield Practice – as well as surgeries in Kinghorn and Burntisland – and Dr Gilani and Partners, who are part of the Ayrshire Medical Group, have now been identified as the preferred bidder.

Their representative said: “We are delighted to be taking over the running of Kinghorn, the Links and Valleyfield practices.

“Our medical group has expanded over recent years and currently cares for around 24,000 patients across Scotland.

"This enables us to pull on the collective resources we have across the group to provide the best possible local medical services for the communities we serve.

“We are also working very closely with NHS Fife and the Fife Health and Social Care Partnership to ensure minimal disruption for patients while the transition takes place.

“We are keen to engage with the local community and key stakeholders and hope to hold some public open days in early 2024 to introduce our team and also collate patient feedback to ensure we are delivering a high-quality healthcare provision for the communities we will be serving."

Director of the Fife Health and Social Care Partnership, Nicky Connor, explained: “Now the due diligence has been completed, we are delighted to be able to publicly confirm that Dr Gilani and partners will be taking over the running of Kinghorn, The Links and Valleyfield medical practices.

“We are looking forward to working closely with the group to develop a detailed plan for the transfer so we can make sure there is a seamless transition for patients in Kinghorn, Valleyfield and Burntisland.

“We expect to complete the transition later this year.

“The necessary steps are also being taken to ensure people who attend those practices have continued and uninterrupted access to local medical services, so they are able to see the right person, at the right time as these changes are carried out.”

READ MORE: Patients at Valleyfield GP surgery forced to drive to Dunfermline

Cllr Downie said: “While bringing the GP service at Valleyfield up to where the community rightly expect it to be will take time, I hope the new providers will start making improvements immediately and I look forward to working with them and assisting in any way I can.

“West Fife has seen a number of issues recently with GP services, including the decision by the SNP Scottish Government to delay funding for a new health centre in Kincardine. 

"Hopefully this news at Valleyfield will begin to see the delivery of the health services people in the area need and deserve.”