RESIDENTS in the west of Glasgow are being asked for their views on plans to close elderly care wards in Drumchapel Hospital.

As the Evening Times revealed, bosses want to move all older people's rehabilitation services for the west of Glasgow - a total of 56 beds - into a special centre at Gartnavel.

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

Last month hospital staff received letters telling them a 90-day consultation was underway on the closure.

NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde (NHSGGC) said patients would benefit from "extensive input from specialists" in the £2million Centre for Excellence at Gartnavel.

The proposals also see older people’s mental health outpatient services continuing to operate from the Drumchapel site.

However, local people have raised concerns about the future of the health care facility, in particular the NHS 24 out-of-hours unit.

Glasgow Anniesland MSP Bill Kidd has said it "looks like 9/10th of the hospital will close".

Catriona Renfrew, director of planning and policy, said: “New models of care require hospital facilities to provide ready access to a broad range of clinicians and diagnostic services and support patients to return as quickly as possible to their home and community.

“We believe our proposals will provide better care and more effective rehabilitation of elderly patients.

“Now we want to know what patients, their families and the public have to say about our proposals.”

A public engagement event is being held on Wednesday October 14. To register call 0141 201 5598 or email PatientExperience@ggc.scot.nhs.uk.

Drumchapel Community Council has organised a meeting for November 9 at 6.30pm at Drumchapel High School.