Dumbarton & Vale of Leven Reporter | News | Assessment unit to remain at the Vale

Thursday, 20th November, 2008

Published: Tuesday, 29th July, 2008 10:15

Assessment unit to remain at the Vale

By Andrew Gibson

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Vale of Leven Hospital

THE DECISION to move a medical service at the under-threat Vale of Leven Hospital to another larger unit on site has been welcomed by hospital campaigners.

NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde (GGC) has announced that the Medical Assessment Unit (MAU) within the Alexandria hospital will be moved into the former Accident and Emergency unit which closed almost three years ago.

The move has been hailed as a positive step during a period of uncertainty surrounding the future of the under-threat hospital.

Jim Moohan, Hospitalwatch chairman told the Reporter that it is a sign of progress.

He said: “We welcome any sort of good news that shows some sort of investment within the service."

No time frame has been given for the move which will provide a more spacious location for the service. The MAU assesses patients with various illnesses and problems and decides if they require treatment.

The announcement follows months of uncertainty at the Vale, after consultation into Maternity services and Mental Health services at the hospital.

A third consultation on Unscheduled Medical Care has still to be launched.

A GGC spokeswoman said: “This is part of a rolling programme of improvements at the Vale of Leven Hospital.

“We have decided to relocate the cramped Medical Assessment Unit into a more spacious and appropriately laid out area in the former Accident and Emergency department.

“This proposal was originally agreed when Accident and Emergency services were withdrawn from the Vale of Leven Hospital by the former Argyll and Clyde Health Board but capital funds were never made available to complete the move.

Meanwhile, a meeting has been set for staff of the Vale of Leven Hospital to voice their opinion on recent and future developments at the hospital.

The meeting, which has been organised by Hospitalwatch and trade unions, will also give an update to staff on the latest developments concerning the hospital.

It has been scheduled for Saturday August 16 at the Denny Civic Theatre.

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