MSP Alex Rowley is urging the people of the Cowdenbeath-Lochgelly area to get involved and have their say on the future of local community health services.

Earlier this year the Out of Hours overnight service at Queen Margaret Hospital was suspended and moved to the Victoria Hospital, in Kirkcaldy, due to staff shortages.

Fife Health and Social Care Partnership is now consulting on how community services are to be organised. The consultation is proposing two options for Out of Hours GP services. One option is to keep two overnight services in Dunfermline and Kirkcaldy and the other to centralise these services in Kirkcaldy.

There will be a consultation meeting at Lochgelly Centre on Tuesday September 25 (see separate article) and Mr Rowley would urge people to go along and make their points.

Alex Rowley said: “It is really important that local people take the time to get involved in this consultation and make sure their views are heard.

"There was widespread concern when the overnight services were withdrawn from the Queen Margaret Hospital and it is my view we need those services back".

He added: “The consultation as well as considering Out of Hours Care, is also proposing to set up of Community Health and Well Being Hubs and is considering the options for the future of Community Hospitals and Care Beds.

"None of us know when we or our families may need these services so it is important that we know what is being proposed and that we have an input into planning for the future of so many vital local community health services”.