Hospital services axe threat lifted

Published on Friday 17 July 2009 00:31

A HOSPITAL that has been threatened with cuts for several years is to have some key services restored.

The Vale of Leven Hospital in Dunbartonshire is to have its urology, ophthalmology and renal dialysis services returned, health secretary Nicola Sturgeon announced yesterday.

She approved plans submitted by NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde that will also safeguard existing services including its community maternity service and acute beds for elderly people with mental health problems. However, it has been decided that anaesthetics cover is no longer sustainable, which has angered local politicians.

Jackie Baillie, Labour MSP for Dumbarton, said the plans approved by Ms Sturgeon meant people in the Vale of Leven area who suffered strokes and most heart attacks would have to travel to Paisley for treatment. "While the return of some outpatient clinics is welcome, this is no substitute for the provision of inpatient services at the Vale of Leven Hospital," she said.

"With no round-the-clock anaesthetics, people suffering from strokes, most heart attacks, epileptic seizures and some other conditions would have to travel to Paisley, rather than the emergency service at the Vale of Leven Hospital."

But at least 70 per cent of unscheduled care services will be retained, with the introduction of a new consultant-led model.

Controversial previous plans drawn up as part of a shake-up of the local health service would have removed these completely. The new proposals will see the creation of eight additional consultant posts.

The Scottish Government said the announcement would mean the return of nearly 20,000 routine attendances per year – an increase of 20 per cent in the care services at the hospital.

The health board has proposed transferring adult inpatient mental health services to Gartnavel Hospital in Glasgow.

Ms Sturgeon has asked that demand for this service is monitored over the coming months, and that a further report is made before there is a final decision.

On the return of other services, she said: "My decision puts an end to a decade of damaging uncertainty, and underlines this government's clear commitment to ensuring that health services are delivered as locally as possible."

Local people had been angered by long-standing recommendations to stop anaesthetics, unscheduled medical care and rehabilitation services at the hospital.

The original plans would have cost 150 jobs at the hospital, which was hit by a fatal outbreak of C difficile between December and June 2007. The bacterium directly caused nine patient deaths and contributed to the deaths of nine others.