Milngavie's Marjorie McCance, who organised the event in George Square on Sunday as the latest tool in her campaign to save the 30 beds under threat, was delighted at the turnout which included DJ Tiger Tim Stevens and Wet Wet Wet drummer Tommy Cunningham.

There has been political cross-party opposition to the NHS proposals for the Clydebank hospice and MSPs Des McNulty and Gil Paterson were among those who attended the rally after which Mr McNulty told the Herald he was also delighted with the turnout.

He said: "Many of those present are relatives or friends of people whose last days have been spent in the care of St Margaret's and therefore know at first hand the outstanding quality of care that is provided.

"The hospice deals both with people who have only days to live and those who may have a few months, without drawing distinctions between those who need end of life care. The Health Board's proposals impose a distinction with the removal of continuing care of people who have months to live.

"This would strip away half the patient beds from the hospice and deprive it of two-thirds of its current funding. I believe there is no sense in this."

Mrs McCance said: "The health board wants to use the 30 specialists beds at St Margaret's for patients with mental health problems and build a replacement for the lost hospice 30 care beds at Blawarthill Hospital.

"This is ludicrous. It would make more sense to build a new facility at Blawarthill specifically tailored to the particular needs of the mentally ill."

Mr McNulty added: "No argument has been advanced by the health board why continuing care patients should not remain at the hospice nor has an explanation been given as to why it is intent on putting these patients elsewhere in a facility that has not been built yet.

"Meantime the hospice facilities, which are modern and purpose built and the hospice staff, are being told to look for alternatives. This is wrong — it goes against logic and also against what the overwhelming majority of people want.

"The hospice should be allowed to continue serving the needs of those patients it has served so well in the past. Why take away an excellent service when there is abundant evidence of growing need for this provision in the future?"

Speaking at the rally SNP West of Scotland MSP Gil Paterson called on the health board to take into consideration St Margaret's fine record of looking after people in need for over half a century before they make their final decision.


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