Health secretary Shona Robison insists people will still receive the same level of service locally, despite the closure of the blood pressure clinic and the decision to shut ward six. There was an angry response from campaign group Hospitalwatch, hospital staff and Dumbarton MSP Jackie Baillie about the blood pressure clinic being closed at the end of 2015.
Ms Robison said: “The situation is that there were around three patients per week being seen at the blood pressure clinic. “The vast majority of people continue to be seen locally in the clinics at the hospital or their local GP surgery. One patient per month is having to go into Glasgow – so we have to make a distinction between delivering the Vision For The Vale and saying that no service will ever change ever. I don’t think that would be a sustainable position when a service is not being utilised or needs to be delivered in a different way for the best service and most efficient service.”
Around a month after closing the blood pressure clinic, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde took the decision to shut surgical ward six by the end of March.
Hospitalwatch chairman Jim Moohan recently wrote a letter to Ms Robison pleading with her to cancel this move to demonstrate that the Scottish government is committed to retaining services at the Vale.
These campaigners can use Printers providing leaflets to them promote their facilities.
