The number of patients complaining about their care in NHS Tayside and Fife has risen for the second year in succession according to statistics released today from ISD Scotland.
In addition to this 57.8% of complaints in NHS Fife and 34.2% in NHS Tayside are not being dealt within the standard 20 day timescale.
Mid-Scotland and Fife MSP Murdo Fraser has stated that these statistics must act as a wake-up call to the Scottish Government who are under-funding key medical services in the region.
The number of complaints has risen by 5.9% in Fife and 12.2% in Tayside in the past year.
Commenting Murdo Fraser MSP said:
“With complaints on the rise again it is becoming patently obvious that nurses and doctors in NHS Fife and Tayside are buckling under the pressure.
“Within NHS Tayside I have been contacted by several constituents who have had multiple elective operations cancelled due to demands on theatre time and it is clear that there are real issues over whether referral to treatment time targets are being met.
“The Scottish Government must act fast otherwise care at our hospitals and health centres will suffer.
“Patient welfare should be the Government’s number one priority and when resources are stretched this is usually the first thing to suffer and I am calling on them to reverse this trend in complaints.”