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Downgrade plans hospital visited Downgrade plans hospital visited
(about 1 hour later)
A hospital whose services are set to be downgraded is to be visited by Health Secretary Nicola Sturgeon. A hospital where services are set to be downgraded is to be visited by Health Secretary Nicola Sturgeon.
Health chiefs announced in May that they want to scale back the services provided at the Vale of Leven Hospital at Alexandria, West Dunbartonshire.Health chiefs announced in May that they want to scale back the services provided at the Vale of Leven Hospital at Alexandria, West Dunbartonshire.
The health board said some emergency procedures at the hospital would be ended as well as other services. The health board said some emergency procedures at the hospital would be ended, alongside other services.
Ms Sturgeon said she was listening to the views of local people and no final decision had been taken.Ms Sturgeon said she was listening to the views of local people and no final decision had been taken.
Emergency patients Experts said the anaesthetic service department at the hospital was "not sustainable".
Experts have said the anaesthetic service department at the hospital was "not sustainable".
They also recommended that emergency patients should go to the Royal Alexandra Hospital in Paisley.They also recommended that emergency patients should go to the Royal Alexandra Hospital in Paisley.
Rehabilitation services would also be moved under the proposals, but local politicians have hit out at the plans saying these would lead to the loss of up 150 jobs and 60 beds.Rehabilitation services would also be moved under the proposals, but local politicians have hit out at the plans saying these would lead to the loss of up 150 jobs and 60 beds.
'Final decision'
Ms Sturgeon said ahead of her visit: "I know lots of staff and patients in the Vale of Leven area will have questions about NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde's proposals for the future of the hospital.Ms Sturgeon said ahead of her visit: "I know lots of staff and patients in the Vale of Leven area will have questions about NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde's proposals for the future of the hospital.
"I am here today to listen to what patients and staff have to say about this issue and any others they raise with me.""I am here today to listen to what patients and staff have to say about this issue and any others they raise with me."
She said the views of local people would play an important part in the final decision.She said the views of local people would play an important part in the final decision.
"The proposals on service change published so far by Greater Glasgow and Clyde are just that - proposals," she said."The proposals on service change published so far by Greater Glasgow and Clyde are just that - proposals," she said.
"No final decisions have been taken and the proposals will be subjected to independent scrutiny and public consultation before coming to me for a final decision.""No final decisions have been taken and the proposals will be subjected to independent scrutiny and public consultation before coming to me for a final decision."