A FIFE MSP has raised concerns over the number of people on waiting lists for Social Care Package assessments in the region. 

Alex Rowley has written to the Chief Executive of Fife Council to voice his concern after new figures revealed that the number of people waiting in the community for a social care assessment stood at 266 with an additional 19 in hospital awaiting an assessment.

Mr Rowley said; “Hundreds of Fifers are currently stuck in limbo waiting for desperately needed social care support, piling pressure on the rest of our health and social care system.

"When people apply for such assistance, it is because they need support and it is unacceptable that older people are on large waiting lists just to get assessed and this can often result in them ending up at the front door of the NHS putting even more pressure on other health services.

“We need greater transparency around social care services in Fife to ensure that the correct levels of services are in place to support people to live in the community.

"Community Care must never be about care on the cheap and it will not work if the resources and support is not in place."

A spokesperson from Fife Health and Social Care Partnership explained the figure quoted relates to information reported on a weekly basis to Public Health Scotland by the Partnership for any adult in Fife waiting to be assessed for a social care package, not just older adults. 

In addition, it said it should also be noted the amount of different data required to be reported has increased. That's because a wider criteria for collection was introduced by PHS in January 2024, making direct comparison with earlier data difficult.

They added: "We report on these figures on a weekly basis and they do fluctuate, as you would expect.

"But we have made significant progress in reducing the number of adults waiting to be assessed over the last few years and continue to work to uphold that improvement. 

"Cases are complex, but we prioritise assessments on the basis of need across Fife and meet daily to focus resources where they are needed most to ensure equity and so services are delivered in a timely manner.

"We've also put in a significant amount of work to make sure that if a person is assessed as needing a care package, it's put into place as quickly as possible."