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Hospital decision by 'year's end' | |
(about 12 hours later) | |
The decision over a hospital facing a scaling-down exercise will be taken by the end of this year, Health Secretary Nicola Sturgeon has said. | |
The timescale emerged during a visit to the Vale of Leven Hospital at Alexandria in West Dunbartonshire. | |
Health chiefs announced in May that they wanted to scale back emergency procedures and other hospital services. | |
The proposals recommended that future emergency patients should instead go to the Paisley's Royal Alexandra Hospital. | |
Rehabilitation services would also be moved under the plan. | |
Independent scrutiny | |
But local politicians have hit out at the proposals saying these would lead to the loss of up 150 jobs and 60 beds. | |
During her visit, the minister emphasised that no final decision had yet been taken. | |
Her spokesman added. "Whatever happens will be subject to independent scrutiny and will go out to public consultation. | |
"She expects that it will come to her for final decision towards the end of the year." | |
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 to listen to what patients and staff have to say about this issue and any others they raise with me." | |