I ATTENDED the public meeting regarding the threat of closure to our local GP out of hours service at the Vale of Leven Hospital.

I was horrified to hear the risks associated with this closure from the representatives on the panel.

I was astounded to then hear that the cuts being proposed haven’t been done in consultation with our GPs or patients.

These proposals are purely about saving money irrelevant of how many lives are being put at risk by them.

I would encourage every single person to write or email their local councillors, their MSP, the Health Board and the Health Secretary Shona Robison stating that this proposal is simply unacceptable and we will accept no more uncertainty or closures at the Vale.

It’s time to start investing in the Vale of Leven Hospital and giving the people of Helensburgh and surrounding areas a quality local facility that is properly run with a range of services.

The question for the health board and the Scottish Government is whether saving money is more important than saving lives.

Christopher Fagan

via email

New figures have shown that the number of grievances made by police officers to single force bosses in the last year has doubled.

In 2016/17, 29 officers lodged formal complaints with Police Scotland, compared to just 14 the previous year, and only seven in 2014/15.

And when the statistics include grievances submitted by other staff, the total number for last year increases to 59, which is 10 more than in 2015/16 and considerably higher than the 32 made three years ago.

The statistics were obtained by the Scottish Conservatives through Freedom of Information.

Shadow justice secretary Liam Kerr said the figures pointed to a decrease in morale among officers as Police Scotland continues to be hit by negative publicity.

The organisation has been criticised heavily for a lack of transparency and accountability, particularly in relation to the Scottish Police Authority, culminating in the departure of its chair Andrew Flanagan and accusations of bullying and secrecy.

There have also been concerns about police on the front line being stretched, and officers forced to “back fill” to make up for shortages in other departments.

This doubling of grievances goes to show how morale is suffering at Police Scotland.

It is well known that our Police take risks most of us never have to think about.

Our Police deserve better than this constant centralization obsession and indifference to the challenges facing our Police by the separatists.

Alastair Redman

via email

WITH air pollution in the news so much it can be easy to lose sight of what is really at risk if the dirty air many of us breathe, particularly on our daily commutes, isn’t tackled.

It isn’t an issue that any of us can afford to ignore. Air pollution is an invisible but deadly problem which contributes to an estimated 40,000 premature deaths in the UK per year. Behind that large number is an even more worrying truth.

Pioneering research funded by the BHF has shown that even short-term inhalation of high concentrations of air pollution - particularly dangerous ultrafine particles found in diesel vehicle emissions - increases the risk of a potentially life threatening heart attack occurring within just 24 hours of exposure. Glasgow has previously exceeded the World Health Organisation’s air quality guidelines for particulate matter.

For the 70,100 people in Glasgow city living with heart and circulatory disease, we must take action now.

Since 2010, the British Heart Foundation has invested £3.2 million into medical research into the link between air pollution and heart and circulatory disease.

We’re committed to working with political leaders at all levels to clean up the city’s dirty air. Everyone in Glasgow deserves that.

Simon Gillespie,

chief executive of the British Heart Foundation

THIS month (July) marks four years since consumer choice campaign, Keep Me Posted launched.

Keep Me Posted was started to challenge companies who push their customers to receive electronic communication, without their consent, sometimes without their knowledge. Our research has proven that it is easier to assess your financial health when you receive paper statements (75 per cent) compared to (48 per cent) electronic statements.

Thanks to the valuable information and feedback we have received from your readers, we have been able to persuade parliamentarians, large corporations, service providers and banks that everyone should have the right to receive their financial information in the format that is easiest for them – be it text, paper, email or a combination of all three.

As a result, 29 service providers, including a number of high street banks, have been awarded the Keep Me Posted Mark of Distinction in recognition of their commitment to consumer choice.

This means that millions of people across the country can rest assured that they will not be forced to receive electronic communication or penalised for requesting a hard copy of statements or bills.

I am incredibly proud of what the campaign has achieved over the past four years. However, the battle is not over - we must continue to fight to ensure that our rights are honoured by companies.

We ask your readers to do the same. Together we can stop organisations overlooking our wishes or taking our custom for granted.

Let us know your experiences by writing us at: FREEPOST KEEP ME POSTED.

Judith Donovan CBE

Chair of the Keep Me Posted campaign

THIS July, SSAFA - the UK's oldest military charity is celebrating the centenary of women in our Armed Forces.

The charity, which has been supporting our troops and their families for over 130 years, was there for the first women serving and we’re still there for them now.

This year, we are recognising the vital role that women have played in the military, during two World Wars and in more recent conflicts.

I have worked alongside some truly inspirational women in our Armed Forces and I am extremely proud of the work they do; we rely on their strength and courage to keep us safe every day and I am proud to be Ambassador of SSAFA which supports these women and their families.

SSAFA has branches working across Scotland that are made up of volunteers and provide practical and emotional support those currently serving, veterans who have settled in the area and their families.

Dame Vera Lynn

Ambassador of SSAFA, the Armed Forces charity

NEW research by the British Army has revealed nearly two-thirds (63%) of Millennials want to be more interesting, but do nothing about it as they waste some or all of their spare time (78%).

Millennials agree that they want do more in their spare time (89%) and, given the chance, would like to develop their skills (77%), become a better person (71%), meet new people and make new friends (66%) and do more to help others (66%).

In reality, more than two-thirds (68%) of 18- to 35-year olds have given up the hobbies they used to enjoy by the time they land their first job because they lack the motivation (33%) and time (42%).

In light of this, the Army Reserve is challenging Millennials to make the most of their spare time and see what they could achieve as a Reserve Officer.

Being an Army Reserve Officer offers individuals the chance to develop their skills, take on an adventure or travel around the world in order to achieve worthwhile things that would be unattainable outside the Army.

This recruitment drive is part of the Army’s ‘Belong’ campaign, which aims to highlight the positive difference the Army can have on people’s lives, and the leadership opportunities on offer as an Army Reserve Officer.

For more information about becoming an Army Reserve Officer, search Army Reserve or visit: https://www.army.mod.uk/belong/belonging.

Helen Braddock

on behalf of the British Army Reserves.