Fury as health bosses cut hospital bus service

Dumbarton’s MSP has hit out at “penny-pinching” NHS bosses after it emerged that a bus service linking the Vale of Leven Hospital with the Royal Alexandra Hospital will be axed.

- STAFF REPORTER

The service 340, which links communities north of the River Clyde with the Royal Alexandra Hospital, was laid on after NHS chiefs downgraded the Vale of Leven Hospital and transferred services to the Paisley site.

NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde (NHSGGC) bosses pledged the bus service would be created after facing stiff opposition from communities served by the Vale Hospital to the transfer of services in 2008/09.

But now NHSGGC has pulled funding for the service, instead pledging to run its own transport, for staff and patients with appointments only.

It will leave those hoping to visit patients sent to the RAH without transport.

Dumbarton MSP Jackie Baillie wrote to health board chiefs last June, after it emerged that health chiefs were questioning the cost of provision.

NHSGGC covered up to 90 per cent of service costs, while transport body SPT funded the remaining 10 per cent.

But a Freedom of Information request was submitted by the politician last year, after NHS bosses “dragged their heels” over granting fresh backing for the shuttle, which uncovered details of service funding.