We reserve judgment on the secured continuation of a hospital whose rates of serious infection and associated fatalities have given pause for thought on the very notion of going into hospital while conscious and able to make a decision.

However, sentiment and convenience have won the day. Health Secretary, Nicola Sturgeon has announced that while anaesthetics cover is being withdrawn, 70% of ‘unscheduled care services’ are remaining at the Dunbartonshire hospital. Some services will be expanded and 8 new consultancies are being created there.

Routine attendances in matters like urology, ophthalmology and renal dialysis will also return to the hospital. These attendances run at a rate of around 20,000 per annum.

The Vale’s Community Maternity Service will be maintained, as will its provision in the Fruin Ward of acute beds for elderly people with mental health problems.

Ms Sturgeon, however, says that demand for the hospital’s adult inpatient mental health service will be carefully monitored before a final report is made on whether such patients should be transferred to Glasgow’s Gartnavel Hospital. This has been proposed by the health board.

Jim Mather, Argyll’s MSP, conscious of the historic links between his constituency and services at the Vale, has warmly welcomed Ms Sturgeon’s announcement that the hospital now has a secure future.

Mr `Mather says: ‘Before the 2007 Scottish Election the SNP indicated that they were determined to keep the Vale of Leven Hospital open by reversing the centralising agenda of the then Labour/LibDem administration.

‘Today’s announcement from Nicola Sturgeon confirms that that pledge has been delivered. The Health Secretary’s decision to return services like Urology, Ophthalmology and Renal Dialysis on a regular basis to the facility puts Labour’s centralising agenda, to borrow a hospital metaphor, firmly to bed.

‘Securing the future of the Vale of Leven not only gives the local community and the staff a better platform on which to build future services but it will ensure the retention of a top class health facility convenient to many patients from Argyll’.

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