A DECISION on controversial plans to permanently cut the GP-out-of-hours service in Inverclyde is to be made by the health board next month.

NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde bosses recently held a full public consultation, following an intervention from watchdogs, into their plans to only have face-to-face appointments in Inverclyde for a few hours at the weekends.

At all other times patients who need to see a GP in person when surgeries are shut will have to travel to Paisley's RAH or Glasgow instead.

There were 2,900 responses to the consultation with more than 1,000 people turning up to drop in events.

The full service was 'temporarily' suspended back in February 2020 and business continuity arrangements put in place.

Around 6,000 local people have signed a petition led by Councillor Martin McCluskey  for a full GP out of hours service to be reinstated.

Councillor McCluskey, who is a member of the health board, said: “People across Inverclyde have been waiting for this decision to be made for a number of years, since services were reduced in 2020.

"I’m really pleased so many people have made their views known in the consultation.

"It shows once again how important the GP out-of-hours service is for people across Inverclyde.

"I also want to thank Health Improvement Scotland for the role they have played in ensuring that specific attention was paid to Inverclyde in the consultation, because of the particular impact that the proposed changes would have on our community.”

It was Mr McCluskey who wrote to Healthcare Improvement Scotland (HIS) arguing for a full public consultation into the board's proposed changes.

In response HIS stated that while it did not meet the threshold for a major service change they agreed that it would have a 'significant impact' and told the NHS board to carry out public engagements.

The fight to keep a full GP out-of-hours service in Inverclyde won cross party support when Inverclyde Council unanimously agreed a motion by Councillor Jim Clocherty to oppose the plans.

At a council meeting SNP councillor Chris Curley strongly opposed the proposals and expressed concerns that there would not be a GP available out-of-hours in Inverclyde apart from on part of Saturdays and bank holidays.

Health board chiefs insist that a full service will be available to patients with telephone consultations, home visits for the most vulnerable and patient transport available for those without the means to get to the hospital.

Inverclyde MSP Stuart McMillan is arguing for an increase in the number of hours of face to face appointments for patients at IRH at weekends.

Now a report will be brought to health board members on the matter in April with the outcome of the consultation process.