West of Scotland Liberal Democrat MSP Ross Finnie and Labour MSP Des McNulty met with Cabinet Secretary for Health and Wellbeing Nicola Sturgeon yesterday to discuss the long-term future of St Margaret’s Hospice.

On the 24th of February 2009 NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde confirmed its intention to develop the Blawarthill site in Yoker and transferring St Margaret’s 30 continuing care beds there in 2012.

Commenting after the meeting Mr Finnie said:

“During the meeting with the Health Secretary I raised my continuing annoyance and frustration at the failure of NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde to provide any cogent reason for its decision to withdraw support from St Margaret’s.

“The Health Secretary is reluctant to intervene and micro-manage the Board but she did undertake to request the Board to provide a full and detailed explanation for the reasons that lie behind its decision to withdraw support from St Margaret’s in the long term.

“I look forward to learning NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde’s reasons for switching the beds from St Margaret’s to Blawarthill and then we can compare and contrast the Board's proposals with St Margaret's proposals and see why NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde is so determined to withdraw support from St Margaret’s. If the Board's proposals don't stack up then the campaign to reverse the Board's decision will proceed with renewed vigour.”