Hundreds of patients in Helensburgh, Dumbarton and the Vale of Leven are being left in pain because hospitals are struggling to cope with the demand for treatment, says the area’s MSP.

Jackie Baillie wants health chiefs to give people in the area waiting for treatment direct access to the Golden Jubilee National Hospital in nearby Clydebank.

But despite making the plea on behalf of the patients – many of whom are waiting for knee and hip operations – Ms Baillie has been told by health secretary Jeanne Freeman that she will not grant patients from the area direct access to the Golden Jubilee.

This week Ms Baillie pointed out that the 12-week treatment time guarantee was being breached consistently across NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, with some orthopaedic patients waiting up to a year.

She added: “Too many people in Dumbarton, the Vale of Leven and Helensburgh are waiting too long for treatment.

“It is mostly orthopaedic patients who are affected. In many cases they are also housebound.

“The Golden Jubilee is right on our doorstep; it makes sense that patients should be able to make use of the facilities available there.”

Ms Baillie said: “I wrote to the former health secretary, Shona Robison, about the issue in May, and after several months and a change in health secretary, finally received a response from the new minister.

“She advised that patients from Dumbarton, the Vale of Leven and Helensburgh would not be referred directly to the Golden Jubilee Hospital.

“She has left it up to NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde to decide which patients are a priority.”

Ms Freeman said she was aware that performance against the treatment time guarantee and for outpatient consultations across Scotland, including Greater Glasgow and Clyde, was below the level she required.

She added: “Each year the Jubilee agrees a number of patients they will see and treat for each board and it is for these boards to decide which patients they send to the Jubilee.

“I would, however, expect the board to ensure that all hospitals across Greater Glasgow and Clyde get equitable access to the Jubilee.”

A spokesperson for Greater Glasgow and Clyde health board said: “The Golden Jubilee National Hospital is a national waiting times centre and we already work closely with them to send appropriate patients from across NHSGGC for treatment when required.”