THE problems being experienced by people in the Cowdenbeath-Lochgelly area in securing doctors’ appointments has been acknowledged by boss of NHS Fife.

The Interim Chief Executive of NHS Fife has responded to questions from Cowdenbeath MSP, Alex Rowley, about waiting times to get a GP appointment and said, “Practices are aware that access is an increasing problem”.

The Times has had a number letters from readers airing their concern at having to wait upwards of two weeks for a GP appointment.

Dr Brian Montgomery said that practices regularly review their waiting times, and when resources allow, increase the range of slots available.

However, he acknowledged to Mr Rowley that there is pressure on services when he said, “Contractually, practices must keep a proportion of their appointments for ‘on the day’, and we acknowledge that these slots are high in demand”.

Some practices have a queueing system where people can turn up at the surgery between 7am and 8am in the morning to secure any free appointment available.

Speaking to the Times the Cowdenbeath MSP said, “I wrote to Dr Montgomery at the end of February as the number of constituents raising with me the issue of getting a GP appointment has become fairly regular and it is not just one practice but across the constituency.

“It is also the case that if you want what is called an emergency appointment you have to call and get through first thing in the morning or stand outside and queue in the hope of getting an appointment. Getting a regular non emergency appointment can take weeks.

“I have been advised that a review of access has been underway by GPs and a report was due to be handed over to NHS Fife so I am now seeking a copy of this and I am writing to GPs in the constituency to seek their views on the issues being raised with me by constituents on a regular basis”.

Mr Rowley concluded, “The British Medical Association has flagged up that many Scottish GPs are under a lot of pressure and recruitment and retention is becoming a big issue so I am keen to learn the views of GPs locally”.

Mr Rowley has also sent a copy of the response from NHS Fife to Community Councils in the constituency to ask their views on the provision locally.