Fears have been raised more services could be lost from the Vale of Leven Hospital.

NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde (NHSGGC) launched a review of blood services at the hospital in October.

But local MSP Jackie Baillie has called on the health board to immediately halt the process – unless they are prepared to guarantee patients that more services won’t be lost.

Ms Baillie claims that previous reviews of services at the Vale have always led to cuts.

READ MORE: Helensburgh's MSP hits out over latest figures on GP out-of-hours service at Vale of Leven Hospital

She told the Advertiser: “Any time previously there has been a review of services at the Vale of Leven Hospital, we have ultimately ended up losing services.

“A previous review years ago saw samples taken out of hours being taken by taxi to the Royal Alexandra Hospital in Paisley. We do not want to see a repeat of this abomination.

“No review at the Vale has ended well, so I call on the health board to halt this review unless they can assure patients that no services will be lost this time around. We are fed up of constantly having services reduced.”

An official letter from NHSGGC, seen by the Advertiser, says: “As part of the Financial Improvement Programme currently ongoing within the organisation, the interim director of diagnostics commissioned a review of laboratory services at the Vale of Leven Hospital to explore any potential efficiencies in our service delivery model.”

READ MORE: GPs 'keen to talk' on future of Vale of Leven Hospital's out-of-hours service

A spokesman for Save the Vale campaign group said: “The Vale of Leven Hospital has seen so many cuts over the years.

"Further reviews and cuts to our services at the Vale won’t be accepted. These cuts are putting the community at risk and forcing them to travel unnecessarily to other hospitals.

“Those who don’t have access to transport to get to appointments elsewhere are often out of pocket (around £50 to £80), forcing them into debt or do without attending those appointments. This is not acceptable the NHS needs to remember they have a duty of care to our patients.”

Jim Moohan, chairman of Hospitalwatch said he wasn’t concerned by the review, adding: “We have a good working relationship with the NHS now.

“I am not concerned by this review. If, after the review, there are any proposals, the NHS will bring them to the table to consult with us on behalf of the local community.”

READ MORE: Hospital campaigners say they have 'a relationship of trust' with NHS officials

A spokeswoman for NHSGGC said: “No decisions have been taken about the services provided by the Vale of Leven labs.

“Over the next few months we will carry out a review of the Vale’s lab services and what diagnostic tests are carried out there, to ensure that we provide the most efficient and effective laboratory service to the Vale of Leven Hospital.

“Similar reviews have been carried out in other areas within Greater Glasgow and Clyde.

“Most importantly, Patients will experience no change in the care they receive as a result of any changes introduced.”

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