IMPROVED VALE OF LEVEN HOSPITAL PROPOSALS WELCOMED.

IMPROVED VALE OF LEVEN HOSPITAL PROPOSALS WELCOMED.

LABOUR SLAMMED ON VALE “HYPOCRISY.”

Speaking after a decision by Greater Glasgow and Clyde Health board on services at the Vale of Leven Hospital SNP MSP for West of Scotland Gil Paterson highlighted the greater commitment to services under the SNP than under Labour’s plans and recent statements from Labour that would have seen emergency services completely closed.

Labour had previously planned to slash services at the hospital – today Labour MSP Jackie Baillie is demanding they stay open.

Mr Paterson, who is attended today’s meeting of the health board said;

“The SNP is committed to keeping the health service local wherever possible. That’s why A & E services at Monklands and Ayr along with specialist child care services around the country have been saved from Labour’s knife .

“That’s why Nicola Sturgeon put plans to close services at the Vale of Leven on hold and an independent review panel was brought in.

“Jackie Baillie’s claims today are utterly hypocritical. The salami slicing of services at the Vale of Leven by the previous Labour administration would have left us an empty hospital. Now after action from the SNP those cuts have been pulled back.

“Not only that – even once Labour were out of office their health spokespeople have supported calls for services at the Vale of Leven to be shut down.

“The proposals for emergency care will allow all services that don’t require anaesthetic cover to continue at the Vale of Leven – a situation the local MSP supported as part of the integrated care pilot. Ms Baillie’s position is unsustainable.

“Today’s proposals are far better than those put forward previously – seeing services retained and around 20,000 elective procedures delivered locally rather than transferred to Paisley of Glasgow.

“I will continue to work with the Health Secretary to ensure that services at the Vale of Leven are safe and secure.”