Protest battle to save hospital
Pressure is growing on the Scot t ish Government to save a community hospital earmarked for closure.
Lightburn Hospital in the east end of Glasgow provides rehabilitative care for older patients but health board boss es want to replace it with “fit-for- purpose” facilities at Stobhill Hospital.
NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde took the decision after a consultation period but they have been criticised by groups, including Parkinson’s UK.
Back in 2011, the Scottish Government rejected proposals to close the hospital.
Yesterday, Scot t ish Labour backed dozens of protesters as they staged a demo outside the hospital calling for it to remain open.
The party’ s health spokesman Anas Sarwar said: “Local people are angry that Lightburn is set to close after SNP politicians assured us that the hospital was safe.
“Campaigners in Glasgow have a loud and clear message to SNP ministers in Edinburgh – hands off our hospital.
“The Scottish Parliament has voted for t he Government to make a decision on Lightburn’s future and Labour wants to see it stay open, as the SNP promised it would.
“Anything less would be completely unacceptable.
“It ’ s time for Nicola Sturgeon to keep her promises about Lightburn.”