Campaigners for the Vale of Leven Hospital are working with the health board to challenge the “mayhem” caused in seeing a GP in West Dunbartonshire.

Crunch talks took place last week between NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde (NHSGGC) officials and representatives of Hospitalwatch to examine how GPs in the area will get back on track following the Covid pandemic.

Jim Moohan from Hospitalwatch told the Reporter: “It is becoming an every day running sore and bit of a nightmare for individuals to contact their GPs to get a face-to-face appointment.

“The GPs do an excellent job with their heavy workload, however we are now facing a gap. We understand there is a shortage within the UK but there is a lot of concern by the community.”

And there are now future talks for a meeting with West Dunbartonshire health and social care partnership chief officer Beth Culshaw to flatten out the issues.

Mr Moohan added: “I am not criticising GPs. They are providing 24/7 cover at the hospital and they are doing their own job but the communication in the GP practices throughout the area has to be improved.

“What we don’t want happening is people turning up at the hospital if they can’t contact their GPs.”

Jonathan Best, chief operating officer for NHSGGC, said: “This was a positive meeting with contributions and commitments from across the local teams.

“We are committed to engaging with the local community and we will continue to meet with Hospitalwatch on a regular basis as part of a much wider exercise to ensure the local community receives regular updates and we’re able to listen to and address any questions they may have.”