Jackie Baillie has demanded to know why patients are not able to access musculoskeletal physio services at the Vale of Leven Hospital.

The Dumbarton constituency MSP was sent a tongue-in-cheek card bearing an image of a cat in a cast and sling, lying on a bed reading a magazine. It has the tagline ‘Why can’t I get my physio at Vale?’.

Inside, it then goes onto explain that most of the MSK physiotherapy department was lost to the minor injuries unit at the start of the pandemic and advises that patients can’t be seen there now due to lack of space.

The correspondent then goes onto say that “someone” doesn’t want to give the space back and questions who this could be.

It ends with the statement “the patients at the Vale matter” and is signed “one annoyed cat”.

Jackie Baillie said: “Although the card made me smile as I particularly like cats, it carries a very serious message.

“People who are in pain due to musculoskeletal problems should be able to be seen close to home. It is detrimental to their condition to have to travel further than is necessary.

“This service needs to be remobilised now. One in eight Scots are stuck waiting on a procedure and people need to be able to access local services again.

“I have brought this situation to the attention of Chief Operating Officer, William Edwards, as the service needs to be reinstated.”