Dumbarton's MSP has urged local patients to ask for appointments at the Vale of Leven Hospital so "that it becomes the first site offered to people in the community".

Jackie Baillie made the plea after being told the story of a local woman who was offered appointments at the Paisley's Royal Alexandra Hospital and hospitals in Glasgow, when the procedure could have been done at the Vale of Leven hospital a week earlier.

She passed on her concerns to NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, before receiving a letter back from the board's chief executive Jane Grant, which she said confirmed that: “Patients who are added to the waiting list for the Vale of Leven Hospital (VoL) will be offered the VoL site, where possible, in the first instance”.

Ms Baillie told the Reporter: “I have been told story after story of patients from our area who are being expected to travel to Paisley or even into Glasgow for treatment which could be done at the Vale.

“The health board has now confirmed that patients who ask for the Vale of Leven hospital will be treated there if the service is available.

“While I realise that for some patients waiting simply is not an option and they have to accept the first available appointment they are offered, I also know that for many people the convenience of being seen at the Vale is much more crucial than an early appointment.

"It is also the case that being seen at the Vale can often be quicker.

“I would encourage patients who wish to be seen at the Vale to make sure that they stipulate this when booking appointments so that the Vale becomes the first site offered to people in our community.”

In response to Ms Baillie's comments, a spokeswoman for the health board confirmed that those on the waiting list for the Vale would, where possible, be offered this site in the first instance.

She added: "The Vale of Leven hospital serves its local community very well and the majority of patients are seen and treated at the hospital for routine healthcare.

"The hospital works as part of a network to provide services to the whole Greater Glasgow and Clyde (GGC) population and the first available appointment will be offered at the first available clinic across GGC. This is to ensure that patients are seen as quickly as possible.

"We would urge patients to discuss treatment options with their GP at the time of referral."