New Fife Urgent Care Walk-In Service to Open on 24 August

The new GP-led Walk-In Service (Urgent Care) announced for Randolph Wemyss Memorial Hospital in Buckhaven will open on Monday 24 August 2026, providing patients with access to same-day assessment and treatment for urgent, non-emergency health concerns without an appointment.

The pilot service, run jointly by NHS Fife and Fife Health & Social Care Partnership, is part of the Scottish Government's national programme to improve access to primary care through a network of GP walk-in services.

Initially, the service will be available to people aged three years and over who are registered with a GP practice in Leven, Methil, Buckhaven or Kennoway and who have an urgent, non-emergency health concern that requires same-day attention and cannot attend their usual GP practice.

Access is being limited initially to ensure the service is safe and effective for both patients and staff. Patient demand will be closely monitored, with the intention to expand the service to all Fife residents registered with a GP in the coming months.

The service will be open Monday to Friday, from 10am to 6pm, with no appointment required. Depending on clinical need, patients may be seen by either a GP or an Advanced Nurse Practitioner.

Lynne Garvey, Director of Fife Health & Social Care Partnership, said:

"We are pleased to confirm that Fife's new Walk-In Service will open on 24 August and begin providing an additional way for people in the area to access urgent healthcare when they need it.

"This service has been designed to complement existing GP services and community pharmacies, helping ensure patients receive the right care, in the right place, at the right time. By providing access to same-day assessment and treatment for urgent, non-emergency health concerns, we hope to make it easier for people to get the care they need when they cannot attend their usual GP practice."

"We know there is considerable public interest in the new service, and we will continue to keep communities informed as we review demand and progress plans to extend access to people registered with GP practices across Fife."

Eligible patients can use the service if they need to be seen that day for an urgent, non-emergency health concern and are unable to be seen quickly at their own GP practice. Examples of conditions that may be suitable for the service include suspected infections, skin conditions, muscle and joint problems, stomach complaints, headaches and flare-ups of existing conditions.

At weekends and on public holidays, people with urgent but non-emergency health concerns should continue to contact NHS 24 on 111, where they will be clinically assessed and directed to the most appropriate service for their needs.

Further information, including a full list of conditions that can be treated by the Walk-In Service (Urgent Care), is available on the NHS Fife website at www.nhsfife.org/walk-in.

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