Council opposes health board plans for GP Out of Hours Service in Inverclyde
Councillors have agreed to write to the Health Minister to oppose plans not to return a full GP Out of Hours service to Inverclyde.
At a meeting of the full council on Thursday, April 25, there was support across the chamber for the motion by Councillor Jim Clocherty, seconded by Councillor Natasha McGuire, to reinstate the council’s opposition to the plans by NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde.
A decision on the future of GP Out of Hours services in Inverclyde is expected to be made at the NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde Health Board meeting on Tuesday, April 30.
Councillor Clocherty said: “This plan puts Inverclyde at a disadvantage. Every other area in the health board has a GP Out of Hours service.
“This is the poorest area they look after and we’ve been given less of a service than the most affluent areas.
“What we are asking for is the same as every other area in Greater Glasgow and Clyde, no more, no less.”
Changes to the GP Out of Hours service were brought in in February 2020 due to staffing issues and continued during the Covid-19 pandemic.
There is currently a service between 9am and 1pm on Saturdays and on public holidays, at Inverclyde Royal Hospital.
If patients need to travel to see a GP outwith this time, the closest centre is at the Royal Alexandra Hospital in Paisley.
NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde conducted a survey into the delivery of GP Out of Hours Services last year. Inverclyde Council agreed to contribute to the survey with their opposition to the plans.
Councillor McGuire said: “These proposals are discriminatory. We want to let Greater Glasgow and Clyde Health Board know we will not settle for anything less than a seven day a week service.”
The full text of the motion reads:
Council notes: 1. That Greater Glasgow and Clyde Health Board will make a decision on the future of GP Out of Hours service on Tuesday 30th April.
Council resolves:
1. To restate our opposition to Greater Glasgow and Clyde’s proposals and the Council’s decision of 7th December to call for the reinstatement of a GP Out of Hours centre seven days a week in Inverclyde.
2. To request the Leader of the Council writes to the Chair and Chief Executive of Greater Glasgow and Clyde Health Board, and the Health Minister, informing them of the contents of this motion.
Members voted unanimously to support the motion to oppose the plans and write to the Health Board Chair and Chief Executive and the Health Minister.
The full council meeting is available to watch on the Inverclyde Council YouTube channel here and associated papers are on the council website at www.inverclyde.gov.uk/meetings/meeting/2650