Scottish Government health secretary Neil Gray urged to meet over planned Paisley hospital ward closure

Edel Kenealy

14 November 2024 at 9:43 am·2-min read

Scottish Government health secretary Neil Gray has been asked to meet with staff and the public over a planned ward closure at the Royal Alexandra Hospital.

Paul O’Kane MSP has urged the minister to hear first hand people’s concerns over the proposed closure of ward 36 and the axing of 22 beds from the Paisley facility.

In a letter addressed to Mr Gray, the West of Scotland MSP emphasised the strong opposition to any plan by NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde (NHSGGC) to close the ward and a petition which garnered 1,000 signatures in a matter of hours.

Mr O’Kane also asked the health secretary when parliament can expect to be updated about his engagement with NHSGGC on the issue.

He said: “Neil Gray might want to dismiss any decision to close the ward as a local matter for Greater Glasgow and Clyde, but the reality is Renfrewshire shouldn’t be facing more cuts and losses of local health services.

“Local people and RAH staff have been very clear about how they feel about it and they must be listened to. Neil Gray must reflect and realise he can intervene. He should meet with me and others so that he can have a full understanding about the implications of the proposed closure.”

The Paisley Daily Express reported how Mr Gray had vowed to look into the planned closure on the ward after it was brought to his attention by Mr O’Kane’s Labour colleague Neil Bibby MSP.

Mr Gray said: “I do not have the full picture because this is the first that I have heard of it but I will look into the matter further and make sure that I contact Mr Bibby and other local representatives on it.”

Meanwhile, NHSGGC has said ward 36 is currently being under utilised as a delayed discharge ward, following a range of successful measures implemented at the RAH and by the associated Renfrewshire Health and Social Care Partnership.

It will also seek to test a new Hospital at Home Service, which it believes will deliver hospital grade care to people in their own homes and further lessen pressure on beds in the hospital itself.

The online petition opposing the closure of ward 36 was created by Unison trade union representatives at the hospital. It is available to sign at https://www.change.org/p/stop-the-closure-of-ward-36-at-the-royal-alexandra-hospital

It has attracted over 2,200 signatures as folk have their say on the proposal.

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