Figures obtained by Jackie Baillie MSP through a Freedom of Information request found that that the Vale of Leven Out of Hours service was closed for 18 out of the 30 days in September 2019. This brings the total days that the Out of Hours service has been closed in 2019 to 128 days.

Jackie met with Health Board chiefs, including the Chief Executive Jane Grant, along with the Cabinet Secretary for Health, Jeane Freeman at the Vale of Leven hospital over the summer. During the meeting the health board promised that they were exploring all options to ensure that the service remained open to patients. So far, there has been no improvement.

These problems are a continuation of the Health Board’s failure in 2018, which resulted in the Out of Hours service being closed a total of 83 times. They continue to fail more patients from our local area as the latest statistics show a worsening position.

Jackie Baillie said:

“It is clear that despite calls from the public and myself, the health board have made little change to ensuring that our Out of Hours service is available for local patients. There are still an eye watering number of closures and even worse, the closures are increasing.

“The Health Board have spoken at length about their desire to improve Out of Hours services at the Vale of Leven, but actions speak louder than words. For the sake of patients in my constituency, improvements must be made as a matter of urgency.

“Local patients are being disadvantaged, they simply cannot continue to suffer as a result of these Out of Hours closures. The Health Board must take action urgently.”