Constituency MSP, Jackie Baillie, will hold public meetings on the future of health services in collaboration with Hospitalwatch in Dumbarton and Helensburgh on the 9th and 11th April.

NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde is currently consulting with local people on their Moving Forward Together programme. They held one meeting in Alexandria which was attended by approximately 20 members of public. However, the MSP and Hospitalwatch are very keen for more people to be engaged in the process, as there could be major changes to hospital services as a result of the programme.

Two public meetings are being organised in Dumbarton and Helensburgh. This will give local people an opportunity to tell the health board what matters to them. Representatives from NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde will be in attendance at the meetings.

The first meeting will take place in the Concord Centre in Dumbarton on Tuesday 9th April at 7pm, and the second meeting will take place in Helensburgh Parish Church on Thursday 11th April, also starting at 7pm.

Jackie said:

“The health board’s Moving Forward Together programme has the potential to change how local health services are delivered and it is not yet clear what impact that this will have on the Vale of Leven hospital.

“The health board have said that they have not yet developed service change proposals and want to hear the views of local people. Whilst I do not believe that there are blank sheets of paper and proposals do exist, it is essential that local people are given an opportunity to tell the health board what is important to them.

“I hope that these additional public meetings will give more patients an opportunity to engage in the process. I would encourage as many local people as possible to attend these meetings, we need to make sure that our health service is shaped by us.”

Jim Moohan, Chair of Hospitalwatch, said:

“Hospitalwatch now have regular meetings with the Senior Management of the Health board and it is vital that the communities complete that link in the chain by taking part in these important meetings.

“We can then raise important issues on your behalf and of course for the Hospital.”