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| Version 3 | Version 4 |
|---|---|
| Protest over hospital downgrade | Protest over hospital downgrade |
| (about 3 hours later) | |
| More than 10,000 campaigners have held a march and rally in a last-ditch effort to save services at the Vale of Leven Hospital. | More than 10,000 campaigners have held a march and rally in a last-ditch effort to save services at the Vale of Leven Hospital. |
| The crowds of demonstrators gathered around the hospital in Alexandria, West Dunbartonshire. | The crowds of demonstrators gathered around the hospital in Alexandria, West Dunbartonshire. |
| A decision on the scaling back of services is due to take place before the end of the year. | A decision on the scaling back of services is due to take place before the end of the year. |
| Jim Moohan, chairman of Hospital Watch, said he wanted ministers to heed the community's "extreme fears". | Jim Moohan, chairman of Hospital Watch, said he wanted ministers to heed the community's "extreme fears". |
| Vale of Leven maternity unit closed in October 2002 and its accident and emergency unit was shut down two months later. | Vale of Leven maternity unit closed in October 2002 and its accident and emergency unit was shut down two months later. |
| We don't have any other time on our side, today is final day for the community to register their complaints with the health minister Jim MoohanHospital Watch | We don't have any other time on our side, today is final day for the community to register their complaints with the health minister Jim MoohanHospital Watch |
| Health chiefs announced in May that they wanted to scale back emergency procedures and other hospital services. | 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. | The proposals recommended that future emergency patients should instead go to the Paisley's Royal Alexandra Hospital. |
| But in July, Health Secretary Nicola Sturgeon said no final decision had yet been taken. | But in July, Health Secretary Nicola Sturgeon said no final decision had yet been taken. |
| An independent review of services at Vale of Leven is due to be completed by November 2007. | An independent review of services at Vale of Leven is due to be completed by November 2007. |
| Mr Moohan said locals in West Dunbartonshire and Argyll and Bute had "extreme fears" over the situation at the hospital. | Mr Moohan said locals in West Dunbartonshire and Argyll and Bute had "extreme fears" over the situation at the hospital. |
| He said: "With 10,000 plus people present, you can see that this community is concerned and very angry - this is our final opportunity, this is the lifeline of this community. | He said: "With 10,000 plus people present, you can see that this community is concerned and very angry - this is our final opportunity, this is the lifeline of this community. |
| Jackie Baillie and Annabel Goldie both raised concerns | Jackie Baillie and Annabel Goldie both raised concerns |
| "We have to stop these cuts, we don't have any other time on our side, today is final day for the community to register their complaints with the health minister." | "We have to stop these cuts, we don't have any other time on our side, today is final day for the community to register their complaints with the health minister." |
| He said the facility could be reduced to a cottage hospital serving more than 100,000 people over a wide geographical spread. | He said the facility could be reduced to a cottage hospital serving more than 100,000 people over a wide geographical spread. |
| Also attending the protest were Labour MSP Jackie Baillie and Conservative leader Annabel Goldie. | Also attending the protest were Labour MSP Jackie Baillie and Conservative leader Annabel Goldie. |
| Ms Baillie said: "The Vale of Leven is the first real test of the SNP's health policy, we want local health services and I look forward to working with the minister, Nicola Sturgeon, to make sure we have local services in this area." | Ms Baillie said: "The Vale of Leven is the first real test of the SNP's health policy, we want local health services and I look forward to working with the minister, Nicola Sturgeon, to make sure we have local services in this area." |
| This is all about a community putting a mark in the sand saying we are not going to give up our local general hospital Annabel GoldieConservative leader | This is all about a community putting a mark in the sand saying we are not going to give up our local general hospital Annabel GoldieConservative leader |
| Ms Goldie said the rally was one of the most impressive demonstrations of local opinion she had ever seen. | Ms Goldie said the rally was one of the most impressive demonstrations of local opinion she had ever seen. |
| She said: "This is all about a community putting a mark in the sand saying we are not going to give up our local general hospital." | She said: "This is all about a community putting a mark in the sand saying we are not going to give up our local general hospital." |
| SNP West of Scotland MSP Gil Paterson said the number of demonstrators showed that local services were desired and needed by the people. | SNP West of Scotland MSP Gil Paterson said the number of demonstrators showed that local services were desired and needed by the people. |
| "Politicians of all persuasions must listen and this hospital is needed for this community and it should be saved," he added. | "Politicians of all persuasions must listen and this hospital is needed for this community and it should be saved," he added. |
| He said he would press Ms Sturgeon to appreciate that the hospital "could be, should be and must be saved". | He said he would press Ms Sturgeon to appreciate that the hospital "could be, should be and must be saved". |
| The Greater Glasgow and Clyde health board claims new rules over doctors working hours have made smaller hospitals, like the Vale of Leven, more difficult to staff and more expensive to run. | The Greater Glasgow and Clyde health board claims new rules over doctors working hours have made smaller hospitals, like the Vale of Leven, more difficult to staff and more expensive to run. |
| A spokeswoman said: "We recognise that people feel strongly about their local hospital services and are worried about change, however, safety is our top priority and we have a duty to listen and respond to the concerns of our clinical staff. | |
| "We would not be putting forward these proposals if they were not safe and sustainable." | |
| The hospital cut-backs had originally been prompted by a £42m budget overspend. | The hospital cut-backs had originally been prompted by a £42m budget overspend. |