SSP Say Health Crisis Could Lead To Council Tax Hike

SSP Glenrothes Press Release Monday 26th November 2001
Glenrothes Scottish Socialist Party today predicted that the shake up of health services in Fife would result in greater strain being placed on medical staff in the kingdom and that joint working with social services would result in another hike in council tax for Fifers.

The Right For Fife consultation was prompted by what NHS Fife have referred to as a 'skills shortage', but SSP representatives claim this is merely double-speak for the exodus of trained nursing staff and doctors. They claim that NHS Fife’s reforms do nothing to alleviate conditions brought about by second-rate health funding that have reduced morale within Fife's health sector to an all time low.

Jim Balfour pointed out,

"The present re-organisation is not about improving services to meet the needs of a changing population, it’s about covering up the fact there is too little money and too few staff. NHS Fife is merely offering the health care that Fife can afford, not the investment that is needed to give the highest quality of care."

The SSP also refuted NHS Fife claims that the proposals in their current form would deliver ready access to health care by bringing services into Fife.

SSP Regional Organiser Jock Penman said

"Placing the bulk of acute medical services further away from a vast number of the people who need them is the exact opposite of making healthcare readily accessible. The retention of two general hospitals is the only sane option."

The SSP also foresee joint working with Fife Council resulting in a rise in council tax charges.

Jock Penman commented,

"We welcome the move to care in the community. It is vital that members of the population with mental health issues and learning difficulties are able to live as independently as possible in locations of their choice.

"However, instead of demanding more funds to pay for this work, NHS Fife are simply passing the buck onto Fife Council, and Fife’s taxpayers will probably pay more for reduced services."