Closure of hospital could put elderly people at risk, warns MSP at protest

Closing a hospital for the elderly in one of the unhealthiest areas of Europe could see life expectancies drop even further, an MSP has claimed.

Lightburn Hospital, in the east end of Glasgow, was recommended for closure yesterday following a decision to send elderly patients recovering from operations or strokes to Glasgow Royal Infirmary and Stobhill Hospital instead.

The board of NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde (NHSGGC) has now passed its recommendations, expected to save £650,000 a year, to health secretary Nicola Sturgeon for consideration.

However, Glasgow Springburn MSP Paul Martin will call on Ms Sturgeon and other MSPs to support his motion to reverse the decision.

The Labour MSP joined councillors and local groups at a demonstration outside the board’s HQ at Gartnavel Hospital yesterday.

He said: “The health board has failed to address many of the issues raised by patients, staff and users of Lightburn Hospital.

“Considering the health challenges that face the east end of Glasgow, including life expectancy being one of the lowest in Europe, it is astonishing that the board would take a decision that could potentially result in making these figures even worse.”

Anne Harkness, NHSGGC director of rehabilitation and assessment, said: “The views from these groups have been central to the recommendations that have now been made to the health secretary.”