Evening GP out-of-hours services at the Vale of Leven Hospital have been reinstated after almost a year of reduced hours.
The news, which was hailed as “the best in years for the Vale Hospital” by campaigner Jim Moohan follows years of uncertainty, with temporary measures put in place last February limiting hours of operation to between 11pm and 8am seven days a week to make the service “sustainable”.
However NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde has now announced that GP out-of-hours services will be available during evenings (Monday to Thursday, 6pm-11pm) in addition to overnight (Monday to Sunday, 11pm – 11am).
The arrangement has been made possible following a agreement between the health board and local GPs who will staff the service.
Patients should only use the service if they require urgent GP care and their normal practice is not open and should make an appointment through NHS24 by calling 111.
Susan Manion, interim chief officer for GP Out of Hours Services, said: “We know how important it is for the local community to have a GP Out of Hours service on its doorstep and we’re pleased to have been able to bolster the overnight service with the addition of a Monday - Thursday evening service.
“We are able to deliver this thanks to the integrated care team at the Vale, who are able to deliver excellent quality care across a range of services, and our local GP leaders who have been working hard to establish arrangements with GPs in the area.
“Their support means we’re in position to engage with local GPs to come and join the service and as we move to reintroduce a full, robust and sustainable long-term proposition for GP out-of-hours services.”
