Vale of Leven early pregnancy and day care services moved due to staff shortages

Some maternity patients at a district hospital in West Dunbartonshire are being redirected to another facility 18 miles away due to staffing shortages.

Health officials confirmed some early pregnancy and day care services are being moved from the Vale of Leven Hospital in Alexandria to the Royal Alexandra Hospital in Paisley.

Patients being redirected is a “temporary response to short-term staffing issues”, said NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde (NHSGCC).

Women affected are being invited to take part in virtual antenatal class sessions and community midwifery services remain in place.

Patients already being cared for at the hospital are unaffected by the changes.

A spokesperson for NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde said: “NHSGCC has put in place a number of measures as a temporary response to a particular set of short-term staffing issues. We apologise to anyone who has been affected by these challenges.

“While our focus is on the care and welfare of our patients, we are in daily contact with our staff and continue to support them through this difficult time. We would like to thank them for their continuing hard work and professionalism.

“While some early pregnancy and day care services are being temporarily redirected to the RAH, those affected women are also being invited to take part in virtual antenatal class sessions.

“In addition, community midwifery services remain in place, including antenatal clinics at the Vale of Leven and other local clinics, and the postnatal home visiting service.

“Our consultant-led antenatal clinics at the Vale of Leven continue, and early pregnancy services for women already being cared for at the Vale of Leven remain operational. 

“Where women wish a home birth or to give birth at the Vale of Leven, we are continuing to discuss options with them on an individual basis.

“Where necessary, women are offered an alternative at community maternity units and midwife-led units elsewhere in NHSGGC.

“The situation is being kept under review and the service will be restored as soon as it is possible.”