A SENIOR local councillor has asked the question “who is running NHS Fife” at a public meeting in Lochgelly.

During discussions regarding the lack of progress in getting a new Health Centre for the town, Councillor Mark Hood, who represents Lochgelly and Cardenden, made the comment due to the lack of progress in developing a business case for a new health centre for the town.

The community council has spearheaded the campaign with support from MSPs Annabelle Ewing and Alex Rowley and contact with the Scottish Government has indicated that a business case is awaited.

People believe that this is in the pipeline but the meeting at St Serf's Church heard that it had yet to arrive with the Holyrood health officials.

Speaking to the Central Fife Times after the meeting, Mr Hood said: "I think my question is a valid one, for we have the Scottish Government waiting for a business case from NHS Fife, which was started last year.

"However, I’ve been waiting over a month to get an update on progress with no response. There seems to be very little local accountability regarding our health services".

He added: "Ultimate responsibility for NHS Fife lies with the Scottish Government’s Health Minister.

"If NHS Fife is unable to make progress on developing plans for a new health centre for Lochgelly, then we need the Scottish Government to step in and take control of the situation."

Mr Hood concluded: "It’s widely accepted that there is a crisis in GP services across Fife, but we need action now.

"If the building of 1800 new homes earmarked for Lochgelly had started, local services would now be swamped. We need action now and not at some point in the future."

With the size of the numbers of patients on the books at the David Street Health Centre continuing to rise, there is a problem with meeting the demand for GP appointments.