Scotland’s largest health board has voted to close inpatient beds at a Glasgow site which previously operated as the Homeopathic Hospital. NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde voted to remove seven beds from the Centre for Integrative Care at Gartnavel Hospital. The move is part of wider measures the health board is considering to save about £69m in the coming year.
It has also agreed to consult on changing birthing services at Inverclyde and Vale of Leven hospitals. The consultation could result in some birthing units closing but the final decision will have to be made by Health Secretary Shona Robison.
The health board will also begin a consultation on changing services for the elderly at Lightburn hospital in Glasgow. It is likely to recommend that such services would be better provided in the community.
Clinical need
The closure of birthing services at Inverclyde Royal Hospital in Greenock and the Vale of Leven in Alexandria have been designated as “major service changes” because they could reduce accessibility for patients.
This means a decision has to be made by the Scottish government.
For full story see BBC News 20 December 2016