Local MSP Jackie Baillie has slammed the SNP for failing to stand up for local patients after none of the party’s MSPs agreed to sign her motion calling for a halt to plans to cut services at the Vale of Leven Hospital.

The Labour MSP has submitted a motion calling for a debate in Holyrood on NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde’s controversial decision to remove the blood pressure clinic from the Vale of Leven Hospital. The removal of the clinic will result in some local patients being sent to the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Govan for treatment.

In order to secure a debate in the Scottish Parliament the motion requires cross-party support. Two of the three parties represented on the West of Scotland regional list are backing the motion but the failure of any SNP MSPs to add their support will veto the opportunity for a debate at Holyrood.

Jackie Baillie is renewing her appeal to SNP MSPs Stuart McMillan and Gil Paterson to sign the motion to allow a debate to be held.

Jackie said:

“Our community cannot afford to lose any more health services and we must not allow the blood pressure clinic to be removed from the Vale without putting up a strong fight. I submitted this motion because it is important that Parliament has the opportunity to debate this unnecessary cut and challenge the Health Secretary to reverse the health board’s decision. If the SNP refuses to let MSPs put their opposition to more cuts at the Vale on record in a Holyrood debate then they will have to answer to local patients who are fed up of seeing vital services being transferred south of the River Clyde.

“The provision of clinics was a key promise of the Vision for the Vale so I hope that Stuart McMillan and Gil Paterson will join me in calling on the Health Secretary to save the service. I am absolutely clear that we need to see the return of all specialist and acute health services, including A&E, north of the river and we must come together now to prevent the loss of any more clinics at the Vale