Plans to redesign services at the Vale of Leven Hospital show that the facility’s future is secure and bright, according to a campaigner.
NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde last week said existing services would be boosted at the Vale, as they welcomed a raft of new staff to Alexandria.
Eight new registered nurses and one new health care support worker have been employed at the site.
Veteran campaigner Jim Moohan, of Hospitalwatch, said the announcement was the result of a two-decade long fight to secure the hospital’s future.
Following the closure of A&E services at the Vale in 2006, services were further slashed - including the downgrading of lab services and axing of the surgical in-patient ward.
However, after fighting off fears that the facility could close entirely, Jim now believes that the Vale has a bright future ahead - and will play a key role in supporting the NHS during the current A&E crisis.
He told the Lennox: “It’s good news for the area.
“If we hadn’t managed to stabilise the hospital in recent years then we wouldn’t have redesigned the services.
“We raised that the Vision for the Vale, which was published in 2008, had to be revisited and redesigned because the hospital has now been stabilised, so we should be moving forward to ensure that the Vision doesn’t become obsolete and outdated.
“The NHS are now in the process of redesigning services at Alexandria.
“It’s not been confirmed yet what these services are, but we indicated that the debacle with A&E waiting times all over the country, we have asked for a higher level of clinical care to be carried out at Alexandria.
“It’s been a 20-year struggle to get to this position. Our aim from the outset has been to get services returned to Alexandria.
“This takes away the fear anyone has about the future of the Vale and what it’s role will be.
“It’s also a boost for the staff inside who can now see changes within the hospital. It improves the feel-good factor for them as they support patients.”
Margaret O’Rourke, clinical services manager and lead nurse at the Vale said: “We would like to congratulate each of our recruits on their new roles at the Vale of Leven Hospital. We are so pleased to be adding to such a brilliant team here at what is an exciting time for the hospital, community and our staff.
“We also recognise that the demands on nursing and health care support teams have been significant throughout the pandemic and we greatly value the work and commitment from all of our nursing staff, who go above and beyond to deliver excellent services to our patients. There is such a community feel at the Vale and the whole team are delighted to be welcoming our new staff.”
And Jim hopes that the continued enhancement of services can see the Vale play its part in helping with the ongoing A&E crisis in Scotland, where waiting times across the country are the worst on record.
He continued: “With greater clinical care we can improve the service to the community, whilst also complementing the general picture for hospitals. Hopefully reducing some of the 24/7 pressure facing the Royal Alexandria.”
“The health board has been very positive.”
