LABOUR’S health spokesman has backed campaigners bidding to prevent cutbacks closing beds at a city hospital.

Patients are angry that the health board is proposing to close the in patient operation with seven beds at the Centre for Integrated Care at Gartnavel Hospital.

Anas Sarwar, MSP for Glasgow visited the centre and met staff and patients who will be affected by the changes.

He said the Health Secretary, Shona Robison, should reject the plans and allow the centre to continue as normal.

The cuts would see the centre become a day and outpatient centre only.

NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde is considering a range of controversial cuts including closing Lightburn Hospital as part of the plan to save £70m.

Mr Sarwar, who will lead a debate in Holyrood next week on health service cuts said there is no justification for cuts to the CIC.

He said: “The Centre for Integrative Care is a valued service delivering person focused and holistic care to patients with a whole range of conditions.

“The Scottish Government and the Health Board might see this as an easy target for closure but I stand shoulder to shoulder with the staff and patient’s groups, fighting this top down decision.

“There can be no justification, on health grounds or on financial grounds, for closing this vital service. Closure will leave patients without the healthcare they need and deserve.”

Patients have said closing the in patient service will affect many patients and deny them treatment that has a positive impact on their lives

Catherine Hughes who has a petition lodged with the Scottish Parliament on retaining the centre, said she is angry at the health board actions.

She said: “Patients are being evicted from the ward to make room for another service and given that this hospital is built with charitable funds the Health Board are deliberately stealing this hospital by wilfully diminishing and running down the hospital.”

The centre is mainly used by patients with chronic pain, chronic low energy, chronic low mood or anxiety.

However, any patient with a long term condition may benefit from the care provided at the centre.

The treatment is designed to treat the person not the disease or illness and includes a co-ordinated mix of health and wellness coaching, advice and information, and specific non-drug, non-surgical therapeutic interventions.

The health board say that the in-patient beds have been under-used.

The plans are currently out for consultation and the findings will be presented to the board meeting in December.