COUNCILLORS have urged government leaders to exempt Scotland's oldest hospice from a policy which could threaten free nursing care for elderly people with long-term conditions.

St Margaret’s of Scotland Hospice in Clydebank provides 28 beds for elderly patients who require continuing care - fully funded by NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde - as well as a separate ward for palliative care financed by the board and charitable donations.

However, from February, responsibility for funding the long-term care beds will shift from NHSGGC to the newly created Integrated Joint Board (IJB) - made up of West Dunbartonshire Council and the health board - and future elderly patients will be means tested.

It means that patients could be asked to make a contribution towards their care at St Margaret’s for the first time in its 66-year-history.

Councillors say the hospice will effectively be treated like a care home and the policy will undermine its charitable status.

St Margaret’s is thought to be the only facility in Scotland which will be impacted in this way by the legislation.

Last night the council voted unanimously to back the hospice and maintain NHS funding.

The Provost, Douglas McAllister, is to wrote to the Cabinet Secretary for Health, Shona Robison, asking for St Margaret's to be exempted from the policy change.

It is thought to be the only hospice in Scotland which will be impacted in this way by the legislation.

Councillor Agnew said: “The Scottish Government never thought this through.

“It cannot be a one size fits all solution.

“This proposal is totally unacceptable to the hospice as St Margaret’s has a non-discriminatory policy, open to all in need of care – a fundamental principle which St Margaret’s has adhered to for the past sixty-six years of its existence.

“Even with health board funding the hospice still has to raise more than £30,000 every single week.

“Why can’t St Margaret’s be classified as a stand-alone Centre of Excellence, after all it sets the benchmark?

“Health and Improvement Scotland (HIS) has consistently awarded St Margaret’s Hospice the highest gradings in the country.

“We have to ensure St Margaret’s retains its position as a hospice and is not in any way be coerced into becoming a care home.”

A Scottish Government spokesperson said:“St Margaret of Scotland Hospice provides a valued service to the people of West Dunbartonshire, Glasgow City and East Dunbartonshire.

“It is for local Health and Social Care Partnerships (HSCPs) to commission palliative care services to meet needs in their area, but St Margaret’s will not be required to charge anyone directly, as the eligibility assessment will be undertaken by local authority staff under the direction of the HSCP.

“West Dunbartonshire HSCP is clear that there is nothing in these new arrangements to undermine St Margaret’s charitable status.

“The Scottish Government would urge St Margaret’s to continue to discuss these issues with the Health and Social Care Partnership.”