THE board of NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde has insisted that it is committed to ensuring the long-term future of the Vale of Leven Hospital following two public meetings on the future of local health services.

The board's chief operating officer, Jonathan Best, attended a public meeting at Helensburgh Parish Church, called by local MSP Jackie Baillie, at which around a hundred Helensburgh residents were given the chance to say what they want to see from the Vale hospital in future under the health board's 'Moving Forward Together' programme.

A further 200 people attended a similar meeting in Dumbarton.

READ MORE: Helensburgh public sets out Vale hospital priorities at public meeting

Following the two meetings, a spokesman for NHSGGC said: “We have recently held meetings with West Dunbartonshire HSCP in Alexandria and Clydebank as part of our own programme of engagement.

“Jonathan also meets regularly with Jim Moohan and fellow representatives of Hospitalwatch to ensure that regular dialogue in maintained and, like Hospitalwatch, we value this regular opportunity to link in with this local group.

“We are sorry that there is frustration about the lack of specific proposals for the future delivery of healthcare in NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde.

“We did engage with the public, politicians and staff on our overall strategy – Moving Forward Together – which was approved last year and sets out our overall approach to the future of health and social care which see patients being supported to live independently for as long as possible.

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“When people need care, our aim is to deliver this wherever possible in the community supported by integrated health and social care services.

“We are now in the next stage of working with local communities to develop specific cases for change which will enable us to deliver this commitment.

“It is too early to know the detail of specific changes that will be introduced as this is a long term strategy and at this time our engagement is focussed on listening to our patients, the public and our staff to hear what is important to them.

“Where in the past we have come to communities with specific proposals, we are taking this new approach to create more meaningful engagement and involvement.

“It is important to reiterate that our chairman has confirmed on a number of occasions our commitment to the long term future of the Vale of Leven Hospital, which, as recently as last week, was reaffirmed by our announcement of investment in new diagnostic equipment for the hospital.”