No health chiefs turned up to hear the views of the 200 residents at a meeting in Dumbarton - despite agreeing to attend.
Jonathan Best, chief operating officer for NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, said he would come along on the night but didn’t turn up or send anyone in his place.
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There were groans across the room as Jackie Baillie, who jointly arranged the summit with campaign group Hospitalwatch pointed to the empty seat beside her, which had been labelled with ‘health board ‘.
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The Dumbarton MSP said the health board had been invited so they could hear the views of the local community.
She said: “Jim Moohan and I were at the consultation in Alexandria and we decided to hold additional meetings so people knew what the health board were planning.
“The health board agreed they would come but there is an empty seat beside me.
“We gave them the dates for the meeting but unfortunately, despite having 39,000 employees, nobody was available to come tonight.
“I am disappointed at that.
“But everything we say tonight will be recorded and communicated to the health board because I think it is really important.”
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A spokeswoman for the health board said: “Jonathan Best, chief operating officer for NHSGGC, was invited at short notice to this meeting organised by Jackie Baillie but unfortunately was unable to attend due to other commitments. “
She said he would be in attendance at the meeting in Helensburgh, adding: “We are happy to attend meetings in future.
“We have recently held meetings with West Dunbartonshire HSCP in Alexandria and Clydebank as part of our own programme of engagement. Jonathan also meets regularly with Mr Moohan and fellow representatives of Hospitalwatch to ensure that regular dialogue is maintained and, like Hospitalwatch, we value this regular opportunity to link in with this local group.”
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