HOSPITAL workers in Glasgow have helped turn round the lives of thousands of patients.

And today they are the toast of health chiefs who are celebrating the fifth anniversary of the launch of patient information centres based at the New Stobhill and New Victoria.

It is estimated that staff have helped around 15,000 people since the services were launched in 2009.

Workers and volunteers help patients to quit smoking and to adopt a healthy eating lifestyle.

They also help people with money and literacy problems and provide vital information on a range of issues from carers support to suicide intervention.

Both centres operate drop-in sessions and have been used by other organisations offering more specialist advice such as health checks.

Dr Linda de Caestecker, the director of public health for NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, said: "I am delighted that our centres have proved so popular with our patients, visitors and also with our staff.

"They provide a central point of contact for people and can assist with most inquiries about health services, and people can either drop-in or contact them by telephone or email."

gordon.thomson@ eveningtimes.co.uk