Health chiefs showed a “shocking disregard for public opinion” by trying to forge ahead with plans to shut the Breast Cancer Centre at Vale of Leven Hospital, according to the area’s MSP.

Jackie Baillie told the Reporter this week that not one single patient from the Vale’s catchment area was consulted on the plans.

And the opinion of just one patient – from outwith the area – was taken when the proposal to shut the facility and the Vale and move it to the Royal Alexandra Hospital was taken forward.

In a statement to the Reporter containing blistering criticism of the board consultation, the MSP urged the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Sport, Jeanne Freeman, to intervene.

Ms Baillie said: “She must take control of the health board.

“If this is the level of consultation that the board regards as appropriate, I have deep concerns about how the rest of the Moving Forward Together (MFT) programme will be implemented.”

MFT is a programme which will see 32 service areas under the board’s control reviewed.

Information about the consultation was obtained through a Freedom of Information Request.

It followed the leaking of a paper to the MSP from the health board’s acute services committee in July.

The paper, titled Breast Service Review and Redesign: Implementation Update, included a recommendation “to support plans to move to full implementation of the preferred service configuration”.

The paper asked the committee to note the “robust public engagement progress undertaken to inform and support this redesign”.

However, Ms Baillie says in response to an FOI request submitted by her, NHS GGC made the “shocking admission” that while a small group of patients from across the Clyde area were consulted on the proposals for the breast cancer service, not one patient from within the catchment area for the Vale of Leven hospital was part of the consultation group.

And further information from the FOI revealed that while 11 patients were involved in the first meeting of the Breast Surgery Service Review Focus Group, only one patient returned for the second meeting of the group where final options for the change were considered.

The row took another twist when the health board told the Reporter the leaked paper had no formal standing and was an internal discussion paper – an assertion strongly challenged by the MSP.

Jonathan Best, interim chief officer for acute service with NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, said: “Local breast screening services and the breast service remain open for business in West Dunbartonshire.

“No decision has been made on how best to deliver a consistent breast service to all women in NHSGGC including the West Dunbartonshire catchment area.

“However, if there are to be any changes there will be detailed engagement and consultation with local stakeholders.”