A Fife MSP has accused health bosses of a lack of transparency over the closure of a palliative care ward in Dunfermline with patients transferred to Victoria Hospice in Kirkcaldy – 12 miles away.

The ward at Queen Margaret Hospital was used while the hospice was refurbished.

It closed in February, but Claire Baker, Labour MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, has accused NHS Fife of “closure by stealth” – and criticised how it handled the announcement of the move.

She said the closure was “ a huge blow” and added: “The lack of transparency around the move is a real concern. I have been calling for reassurance on the future of the ward since 2020, and when I wrote to NHS Fife at the end of January it gave no indication of the imminent plan to close it.

“There is a lack openness and transparency about the situation which is unacceptable. “

Ms Baker said the ward at Queen Margaret offered “vital and valued end of life care.” and added: “The reduction in hospice and palliative care wards will be difficult for families caring for their loved ones – we need to see an increase in care services which allow people to spend quality time together.

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