A recent flurry of cancelled appointments at the Vale of Leven Hospital’s blood pressure clinic have sparked fears among patients that the service may close as soon as next month, according to local MSP Jackie Baillie.

Jackie Baillie has written to NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde to demand clarity over the future of the specialist clinic after receiving a number of calls and emails from patients whose appointments have been cancelled. It is understood that there are now no appointments at the Vale in October.

The consultant who supported the blood clinic at the Vale of Leven Hospital has transferred to the new Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Glasgow and staff have not yet been told what will happen to local patients previously seen at the Vale. 

In her letter Jackie Baillie has asked health board chief Robert Calderwood to put an end to the uncertainty and announce whether the clinic will remain open after this month.

Jackie said:

“The provision of clinics was a key promise in the Vision for the Vale so I was hugely concerned when numerous patients got in touch with me to say that their appointments at the blood clinic have been cancelled. It is simply unacceptable that staff and patients have been kept in the dark about the health board’s plans for the future of the clinic following the transfer of a consultant to the new Queen Elizabeth hospital.

“I have written to Robert Calderwood, Chief Executive of NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, to ask why the October appointments have been cancelled and will oppose any attempts to remove the blood pressure clinic from the Vale. I will continue to fight for the North of the River health service that local people deserve and that means more clinics and appointments being delivered at the Vale of Leven Hospital.”