A PATIENT at Vale of Leven Hospital’s blood pressure clinic has voiced his concern and disappointment at discovering it was being discontinued.

As the Reporter revealed two weeks ago, the clinic is set to close at the end of this month meaning current service users will face a journey to the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital on Glasgow’s south side to see a specialist, or they will be referred back to their GPs.

Pensioner David Benny has been attending the clinic since 2007 as a patient. His next appointment was scheduled for a date in November but he was surprised to receive a letter moving the appointment forward to September.

The 73-year-old former NHS worker, told The Reporter: “I usually have a follow-up appointment every three to six months so I telephoned them and said that the appointment was too early and could I have a later one. I was told I couldn’t have a later appointment as the clinic didn’t exist on their calendar any longer.

“I decided to phone the blood pressure clinic secretary, I was then put through to the switchboard at the Western Infirmary but told the unit had moved to the new southern hospital. I said on the phone; ‘It looks like the unit is closing’ and the response I got was, ‘yes, it does’.

“I am fortunate enough to have a great GP practice and I am now being referred back there but it was very helpful to be seen by an expert.

“I’m disappointed but it’s not life-threatening. The Vale has so many good services but it does beg the question of what other clinics will close in the future?” The date the clinic will cease operating at Vale of Leven Hospital has yet to be finalised.

A motion has been tabled in the Scottish Parliament by Dumbarton MSP Jackie Baillie, who asked the Scottish Government when it was made aware of the decision to remove the clinic from the hospital; to explain the reason the clinic is being removed; and if any action is being taken to prevent its removal. She has called on SNP MSPs Stuart McMillan and Gil Paterson to support the motion.

She said: “Our community cannot afford to lose any more health services and we must not allow the blood pressure clinic to be removed from the Vale without putting up a strong fight.

“I am absolutely clear that we need to see the return of all specialist and acute health services, including A&E, north of the river and we must come together now to prevent the loss of any more clinics at the Vale.” A spokeswoman for NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde told the Reporter: “We are reviewing the care of patients who have been attending the Vale of Leven blood pressure clinic, which affects approximately two patients a week, for a number of years.

“If their condition is stable they will be discharged back to their GP to have their blood pressure checked regularly at their local surgery. However if their condition requires further specialist treatment they will be referred to the new cardio vascular service at the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital.”