CAMPAIGNERS facing a race against the clock to save beds at a Glasgow hospital have been assured by politicians: “We are listening.”

MSPs yesterday backed the continuation of a petition, lodged by patients, which is calling on NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde to retain the seven-bed inpatient unit at the Centre for Integrative Care at Gartnavel – the only hospital of its kind in the UK.

The board is consulting on plans to remove the unit as part of a strategy to make savings of around £68million.

A  decision will be made next month.The petition was lodged by Catherine Hughes, a long-term patient of the CIC, which was formerly known as the Homeopathic Hospital and has a history which dates back to the 19th century.

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At a meeting of the Health and Sport Committee, there was praise from MSPs for the “fervour” of the petition and cross-party support to keep it open.

The Scottish Health Council has now been asked to give evidence at a future meeting.

Miles Briggs, Conservative MSP for Lothian said: “Obviously there’s a lot of work ongoing around the consultation and due process and we should wait to see the outcome of that but I think it would also be helpful for us to write to the Scottish Health Council to get their views on this.”

Alex Cole-Hamilton of the Lib Dems said: “I’ve also been impressed by the fervour of which this petition has been presented. I think the supporters of this are to be commended and that we are listening.”

The petition is also calling on the Scottish Government to take the hospital out of the health board’s hands and allocate national funding for the service.

Green MSP Alison Johnstone acknowledged concerns that the loss of the inpatient unit could “negate” treatment benefits for patients with long-term, chronic conditions who may struggle to travel for day care. The health board has suggested that patients could receive inpatient care elsewhere at other hospital sites.

She said: “Patients feel that the inpatient component of treatment is invaluable, a really important part of their recovery and that without that, the offering just won’t be the same. 

“This is a service that helps a lot of people with chronic pain and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome so the issue of travel is one that is important to a lot of people.

“They feel that the effort of getting there could negate the impact

“I would want to keep the petition open.”

The health board say outpatient services will not be affected and has suggested patients could be admitted for inpatient care at other sites.

Ivan McKee, SNP MSP for Glasgow Provan, said: “There is clearly a lot of work gone into presenting this and I commend the group. I think writing to the Scottish Health Council makes a lot of sense to understand how they are approaching the issue.”

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Neil Findlay, committee convenor, said: “We all have our own personal view of the issue but as committee we are in agreement that we will keep the petition open. “ 

The committee has evidence from the Scottish Government that says the health board assured it last year there was no plans to change the services at the centre, at Gartnavel Hospital.