At the second meeting with the Hospital Watch group of 2025, Melanie McColgan, Clyde Director for NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde (NHSGGC), provided reassurance about the services at the Vale of Leven Hospital (VoLH) alongside senior hospital staff.
The meeting also focused on the importance of Right Care, Right Place, which reminds the community not to turn up without an appointment and to only attend with a referral.
Melanie said: “We were pleased to have a positive and productive meeting with members of the Hospital Watch group at the VoLH today.
“We are aware of reports that have suggested changes to the services at the hospital. We want to reassure the community that this is not the case.
“Our Minor Injuries Unit (MIU) continues to open from 8am and will see children aged 1 year and older. There is also no change to the overnight service or staffing.”
“We value the Hospital Watch group’s support in helping us reiterate our messages to the public and are always happy to give them a full update about activity at the hospital.
“We continue to ask the public to help us ensure they get the right care in the right place by contacting their GP in-hours for non-life-threatening conditions or NHS 24 on 111 out-of-hours.
“This will allow us to refer patients to the right place for them, reducing the need for any secondary transfer.”
New services and improvements at the VoLH were also discussed at the meeting. This included the introduction of outpatient antibiotic therapy (OPAT).
The Hospital Watch group also highlighted positive patient feedback, demonstrating the high quality of care being provided by hospital staff.
Reverend Ian Miller from the Hospital Watch group, said: “We have received reassurances today about the care and service being provided at the Vale of Leven Hospital, across 24 hours of the day.
“It is vitally important the public continues to follow the pathway in relation to attendance at the VoLH. That includes seeking advice and following the link provided by their pharmacy and GP and allowing the GP to move the situation forward where necessary.
“Self-referral to the Vale of Leven Hospital puts undue pressure on the hospital, and we are grateful to the public for continuing to follow this vital pathway by contacting their GP in-hours and NHS 24 on 111 out-of-hours.”
