A PETITION calling on the Scottish Government to safeguard the future of a threatened Glasgow hospital will be in the spotlight at Holyrood.

NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde is consulting on plans to shut the overnight unit at the Centre for Integrative Care - the only hospital of its kind in the UK.

The petition calls on the government to allocate national funding for the centre, to “uphold NHS patient choice” and will be discussed next Tuesday by the Health and Sport Committee.

The hospital, which has a history dating to the 19th century and is based at the Gartnavel site, offers a range of complementary therapies, alongside conventional treatment, mainly treating patients with long-term and chronic conditions.

However, a number of health boards have stopped funding referrals as budgets become increasingly squeezed.

The petition was lodged by Catherine Hughes, a patient, who has been at the forefront of a long-standing campaign to safeguard the hospital’s future.

She said: “To apply for national funding the health board need to be supportive of this application and they haven’t exactly been so far.

“The petition is also looking at access as a result of health boards withdrawing referrals.

“We would also like to self-referral as a possible option as many GPs and professionals will not refer patients as they do not fully understand what goes on at the hospital.”

Meanwhile, a petition launched online at Change.Org has attracted 2,068 sign-ups with message of support from patients all over the UK.

Julie Syme, a patient from Glasgow said: “This is a unique and fantastic service please don’t take it away.”

Dr Tom Whitmarsh, a former consultant physician at the hospital said: “The beds are an essential component of clinical success.”

Joanne Reid, who is a former patient, described the service as a “lifesaver.” She said: “Without this unit I know I wouldn’t be here to write this. It is truly a lifesaver, being staffed by understanding, realistic, amazing staff.”

Judy Wilkinson, from Glasgow, said: “Integrative care is a very important option for those with multiple health conditions.

“The importance of considering the whole body, mind and spirit is just being realised.

“This unit is world leading on the kind of changes needed in our health, please do not close it.”

Meanwhile, a Lanarkshire politician has called for the engagement process over the beds closure to be halted and an investigation launched into the health board’s handling of the process.

Elaine Smith, Central Scotland, Labour MSP, has lodged a motion in the Scottish Parliament calling on the Scottish Government to take action.

It criticises the health board for dominating the process and excluding patients and staff.

The motion states: “Some patients regard the process as “farcical” due to issues including dominance by NHS board officials, both in numbers and chairing of the stakeholder groups.”

It calls for an “urgent investigation of what is perceived to be an undemocratic and biased process”.