New services for C.diff hospital

The proposals for the Vale have been put out to consultation

Plans have been announced to increase services and patient treatment at a troubled hospital in Dunbartonshire.

NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde wants to introduce a new rehabilitation, day hospital and mental health services at the Vale of Leven.

It has also backed plans for a new £17m medical centre and £15m care home at the site in Alexandria.

The hospital was at the centre of a recent outbreak of Clostridium difficile, which claimed nine lives.

More than 50 others were infected by the bug between December and June.

The proposals outlined by NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde (GGC) on Tuesday will be put out to public consultation.

Investment programme

The health board said the proposed investment would mean an extra 16,000 patient appointments being delivered locally, which were currently provided from either Glasgow or Paisley.

NHS GGC chief executive, Tom Divers, said: "This vision sets out an ambitious plan for the Vale of Leven campus which will end years of uncertainty for staff, patient and hospital supporters and see the Vale continue to be a vibrant and busy NHS site.

"So often when we go out to consultation the focus is on what services we cannot sustain.

"The vision outlined today sets out the full range of services that we want to develop and deliver, backed with a programme of investment, from the Vale of Leven site.

"We look forward to engaging with staff and the local community to develop these plans for an exciting and sustainable future for the Vale."