The row over medical services in the Vale rumbles on as Jackie Baillie, Dumbarton MSP, and Health Secretary Shona Robison lock horns over funding.

Ms Baillie has accused the SNP minister of ‘hollow promises’ following NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde’s Annual Review on Thursday, August 20.

The Chief Executive of NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde admitted in response to a question from Ms Baillie that there would be no additional funding in 2015 – 2016 for emergency medicine other than to maintain services at existing levels. Ms Baillie said this is despite Ms Robison telling local campaigners that she was committed to enhancing services at the Vale of Leven Hospital.

Under questioning from Ms Baillie, the Health Secretary refused to commit to a north of the river A&E service.

Ms Baillie said: “The SNP Health Secretary has been caught saying one thing to local people while health board officials say the complete opposite. At our meeting only last week, Ms Robison used the promise of more services at the Vale to soften the blow of her decision to rule out a north of the river A&E.

“It’s time for the Health Secretary to clear up the confusion. Will she commit to more money for enhanced emergency services at the Vale in this financial year? The people of Dumbarton, and the Vale of Leven need answers.” However, Health Secretary Shona Robison was quick to remind Ms Baillie that the Labour administration closed the A&E service in the Vale in 2002.

Ms Robison said: “It was this government who ended a decade of damaging uncertainty for the hospital by approving the Vision for the Vale in 2009, ensuring that local services would be safeguarded and improved.

“During my recent visit I was impressed by the staff I met as well as the range of services provided. Under the Vision for the Vale, the hospital is seeing and treating an increasing number of patients and the unique model of care is working well.

“The repatriation of planned care to the hospital continues with 65 per cent of all day case procedures and 63 per cent of all out patient appointments for patients in the Vale catchment area undertaken at the hospital.

“I remain absolutely committed to ensuring that the Vale has a viable future, building on the vision.

“I know from my visit that local staff are also enthusiastic about looking at opportunities to further enhance the services on offer.

“In order to achieve this, the Scottish government is committed to investing in the integration of health and social care services to support better provision of care within communities and in people’s homes.

“I am happy to continue such discussions with local representatives and stakeholders.

“My door is always open.”