Jackie Baillie MSP has urged NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde to ensure that patients who live in the Vale of Leven hospital catchment area are granted their requests to be seen at the hospital. The calls have come as one constituent has contacted the MSP following her receiving continuous appointments at the Royal Alexandra Hospital despite making repeated requests to be seen locally.

The constituent was originally given an orthopaedics appointment at the Royal Alexandra Hospital for the 11th June, this appointment was subsequently cancelled, at which time she requested an appointment at the Vale. But when her replacement appointment was received, it was scheduled, again, for the Royal Alexandra Hospital on the 17th June, this appointment was also cancelled. The patient, again, asked for an appointment at the Vale of Leven only to receive another appointment at the Royal Alexandra Hospital on the 25 June.

Jackie said:

“Orthopaedics is a service which is offered at the Vale of Leven hospital. For many patients, the ability to have their treatment at a hospital which is close to their home makes the whole ordeal much easier.

“This is not the first patient who has contacted me following a request to be seen at the Vale of Leven hospital being ignored.

“Patients who live in the catchment area should be offered the first available appointment at the Vale of Leven hospital as standard practice. I am disappointed that despite continuous requests to the health board, both on behalf of individual patients and on behalf of the community in general, they are still being sent to the Royal Alexandra Hospital.”