CHANGES that will see almost 77,000 patients moved to a different health board could adversely affect some of the most vulnerable patients, health bosses have warned.

NHS Lanarkshire will be responsible for an extra 76,983 people from April 1 next year when Cambuslang and Rutherglen transfer from NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde control to match local authority boundaries.

Both health boards have previously insisted the changes are simply administrative, that patients will continue to access local services and there will be no impact on care.

Patients will continue to use their own GP and nearest hospital.

However, NHS Lanark­shire board papers reveal bosses have raised a number of concerns about continuity of care affecting other health services, saying elderly patients and those with a disability could be the most likely to be "adversely affected".

GPs have also voiced concern about an impact on follow-on services, such as alcohol and drug rehab treatment.

The paper states: "Patients transferring to NHS Lanarkshire services may suffer a loss in continuity of care ... patients may have to travel to a different site to access services once transferred, impacting especially on older people and those with disability.

"Patients transferring to NHS Lanarkshire could see a change in service waiting times (potentially positive or negative)."

The board also raised concerns the move could impact on the patient recall process for screening and immunisation programmes.

In a joint statement, NHS Lanarkshire and NHSGGC said it was working to address any adverse issues.

However, Rutherglen MSP James Kelly said: "The merger has been a concern for patients and health professionals alike in my constituency.

"I am very concerned to read the suggestion that continuity of care and waiting times may be affected by this change, and that the elderly or those with a disability are the ones most likely to be adversely affected.

"In my discussions with GPs a concern raised frequently is the quality of follow-on services, such as substance abuse and alcohol treatment.

"There needs to be clarity about these issues and the transition simply must be executed correctly.

"These changes must not lead to a drop in quality of care for some of the most vulnerable people."

A total of 1677 patients from Busby along with 100 from White Gables and six from Parklea, both near Carmunnock, will move to NHSGGC, while 408 patients from Blackridge will move from NHS Lanarkshire to NHS Lothian.

In a joint statement, NHS Lanarkshire and NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde said: "We will take actions to ensure older people and people with a disability are not disadvantaged by the transfer and enjoy the full benefits of the changes."

caroline.wilson@ eveningtimes.co.uk