FEARS are being raised over the future of a Glasgow hospital after proposals were lodged to close three wards.

Staff at Drumchapel Hospital have received letters telling them a 90-day consultation is underway to consider the closure of wards which offer care to elderly patients.

The move came after the closure in June of the Islay ward, which also offered care to older people.

NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde (NHSGGC) wants to transfer all older people’s rehabilitation services for the west of Glasgow – a total of 56 beds – to Gartnavel Hospital.

The older people’s mental health service will stay at the site, however board papers say the planned changes could have implications for the out of hours service there.

Health chiefs said that service would be considered separately.

If the proposals are accepted NHSGGC could save £1.4million.

The board approved a three-month public, patient, carer and staff consultation on August 18.

But Glasgow Anniesland MSP Bill Kidd said people who live in the area and staff are worried about the future of the health care facility.

He has requested an urgent meeting with health bosses.

Mr Kidd said: “Concerns have been growing over the summer but no one really knew what was going on. I’ve tried to request more information from the health board and, although I’ve received polite replies, there has been no substantial information.

“Staff have heard snippets but they don't know what's happening. And now they’ve been sent letters telling them about the proposals.

“They are concerned about the wards moving to Gartnavel. This looks like 9/10th of the hospital will close.

“If the out of hours part of the hospital goes that will have financial implications on all constituents in Drumchapel, Knightswood and Blairdardie because they will have to travel to Gartnavel.”

Drumchapel/Anniesland SNP Councillor Malcolm Balfour said: “One of my main concerns is over the future of the NHS 24 out of hours unit.

“I fully accept the board does not have proposals for it at the moment but I can’t see how they would keep that open when the other wards round about it shut.

“It’s bad enough they are considering closing the wards – that has implications for people who have to go to the hospital or visit people there – but if the NHS 24 out of hours service is moved I would worry about residents in Drumchapel having to take taxis to Gartnavel at night.

“This is a deprived area and many people cannot afford to be taking taxis and the area has issues with how it's served by public transport.”

Workers raised concerns about the space in Gartnavel.

A member of staff at the hospital, who asked not be named, said: "While I can see that the board want to deliver the service more cheaply, my two main concerns are; firstly for the patient's and their families and their access to the outside world.

"In Drumchapel we have a garden, from the eighth floor of Gartnavel all you have is a view and secondly, on a more personal note this change will cost a lot of staff more money to travel to work as a lot of us live locally."

NHSGGC bosses said the plans would involve transferring the services to a “rehabilitation centre of excellence” at Gartnavel.

They said the site would remain open if the plans are agreed.

David Stewart, depute medical director,NHSGGC, said: “It is anticipated that a newly created older people’s rehabilitation centre of excellence at Gartnavel would both strengthen the focus on rehabilitation and enhance our ability to assist patients back in to the community.

“The change of location will make care more accessible to patients in west Glasgow. Gartnavel General is easier to reach than Drumchapel Hospital through public transport for the majority of residents in the catchment area.”