A major change in the way that health chiefs operate the GP out-of-hours service in Dumbarton and the Vale has come under fire.

The health board announced last week that appointments will now been needed for the out of hours service - a move that has been slammed by Jackie Baillie MSP and Hospitalwatch campaigner Jim Moohan.

The health board says the new arrangement will help create a more robust, reliable and sustainable service by reducing waiting times, enabling discrete appointments and improving access to GP out-of-hours.

It says it will also ensure social distancing can be observed at urgent primary care centres.

However, Ms Baillie said the change "did not begin to address the problem of a lack of GPs on the rota or worries about access to face to face consultations with GPs.”

And Mr Moohan called for talks with the health board to show the strength of opposition to the move in Dumbarton and the Vale.

Arguing in favour of the changes, the board says in addition to having a scheduled appointment, patients will also have the opportunity for telephone consultations.

It adds that “Attend Anywhere”, which allows virtual consultations to take place, is being implemented across sites later this month and combined, the new arrangement means patients will have access to healthcare without having to travel to an urgent primary care centre.

The MSP said: “Local residents in my constituency rely on the service that the Vale of Leven out-of-hours provides and I know that many will be concerned about what this change means for the future of the service in the long term.

“The ‘by appointment’ service is currently running as a way to cope with the difficulties presented by Covid-19. However, making this change permanent doesn’t begin to address the problem of a lack of GPs on the rota or worries about access to face to face consultations with GPs.”

“This seems to be about centralising the service so you could be talking to a GP anywhere in Greater Glasgow & Clyde, whether it’s by phone or screen. The danger is that people will vote with their feet and end up at the front door of A&E instead.”

Mr Moohan, said the new arrangements did not address the long standing issue of transport and travel which was still a major concern for people seeking medical advice and treatment at night.

He added: “In June last year, in consultation with local GPs we formed a model for 24/7 cover at Vale of Leven Hospital which had the support of GPs.

“That model was approved by health secretary Jeane Freeman - so it went to the very heart of Government.

“However, the health board intervened and ‘parked’ our model in favour of their large ‘umbrella’ vision for services.

“We consider it still to be a live issue on the table and if our expectations are not met we will involve Jeanne Freeman again.

"I have contacted the health board to discuss this matter and they have agreed this can take place within the next few weeks."