Dumbarton and the Vale’s MSP Jackie Baillie has demanded the Cabinet Secretary reverse a decision to close the blood pressure clinic at the Vale of Leven Hospital.

As revealed in the Reporter, Health board officials admitted the clinic will transfer to the new Queen Elizabeth University Hospital.

Ms Baillie has tabled a motion and in order to secure a debate in the Scottish Parliament, and needs cross-party support.

When the Reporter went to press, no SNP MSP has agreed to sign the motion and Ms Baillie is calling on West of Scotland MSP Stuart McMillan and Clydebank MSP Gil Paterson to put party politics aside to support local health services.

She said: “When the Health Secretary told health campaigners last month that she was ruling out a new A&E department north of the river, she sugar-coated the pill by promising to protect and enhance services at the Vale of Leven Hospital.

It is therefore hugely disappointing that the health board has announced that vital services will be removed from the Vale in the coming weeks.

“It is time now for MSPs from all parties to put their differences aside to defend local health services. I hope that my colleagues in the SNP will sign my motion to secure the necessary cross-party support for a debate to be held.”