HEALTH bosses say they remain committed to the GP out-of-hours service at the Vale of Leven Hospital – and that they want to extend the current provision as soon as they can.

Officials from NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde were responding after the lead clinician for the GP-led ‘integrated care service’ at the Alexandria hospital said he was hopeful that an agreement can be reached soon to have the GP out-of-hours service covered during the evenings as well as overnight.

The GPs who cover the integrated care service at the Vale provide cover for all the hospital’s services between 11pm and 8am – minor injuries, medical admissions, home visits and ward rounds, as well as the GP out-of-hours service.

But the GP out-of-hours service is not currently covered between 6pm and 11am.

Speaking at a Zoom meeting at which he outlined the impact of Covid on the local NHS, and possible future developments for health services in the area, Dr Nick Dunn said: “Before Covid I was approached to look at expanding the integrated care service so that we could cover the whole GP out-of-hours requirement between 6pm and 8am.

“We’re very, very close to doing that. I’m hopeful that if that gets approved, we’ll be in a position where we’re starting to cover those shifts on a regular basis – and having a full, comprehensive out-of-hours service back in place at the Vale, because it’s hugely important for the local people that they’ve got somewhere nearby that they can access.”

A spokesperson for NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde said: “We are fully committed to the GP out-of-hours service at the Vale of Leven and have ensured the community continues to have access to a GP out-of-hours whilst we stabilise and develop the service.

“Discussions are progressing well with the local HSCP [health and social care partnership] and GPs in the area and we aim to extend the existing provision beyond the current overnight service as soon as we can.”