By CAROLINE WILSON

CALLS for an A&E department at the Golden Jubilee Hospital in Clydebank have been ruled out by the Scottish Government.

The former Health Secretary Alex Neil agreed to consider the plan following concerns from residents north of the River Clyde about the loss of emergency services at the Western Infimary, which has now closed with services transferred to the new hospital.

Mr Neil had said he was "very conscious" of the distances people would face following the loss of the service.

The nearest casualty department for those residents is now the new South Glasgow University Hospital or the Royal Alexander Hospital in Paisley.

However the Cabinet Secretary for Health, Shona Robisonm, has ruled out the move in a letter to NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde.

The Chief Executive of NHSGGC, Robert Calderwood, said the Cabinet Secretary had stated that the hospital had a medium to long-term future providing specialist care and that it was not an appropriate setting for an A&E department.

Labour MSP Jackie Baillie has campaigned for emergency services to be added to the Golden Jubilee or the Vale of Leven hospital in Inverclyde.

A spokeswoman for the Scottish Government said there were no proposals on the table for the Vale of Leven.

Helen Hill, who lives in Clydebank, said: "Our nearest A&E is now the RAH in Paisley or the new hospital.

"If the Erskine bridge is closed and the tunnel is jammed, I have concerns about the distance.

"Somebody having a heart attack on this side of the river, by the time they get to the RAH of the new hospital it could be too late."

Health Secretary Shona Robison said: “After careful consideration our view is that the Golden Jubilee National Hospital should remain as a national centre for excellence providing additional elective capacity across Scotland.

“In May, I met with local residents and their representatives to inform them of this view. I’m looking forward to visiting the Vale of Leven hospital in the near future to meet with staff and patients and to hear more about the valued services provided at the Vale.”