Battle launched to build new health hub in Milngavie over travel anger

Those in need of occupational therapy, physiotherapy and mental health support are having to fork out on journeys to Kirkintilloch because vital services are not available locally.

Now Liberal Democrat parliamentary candidate for East Dunbartonshire Susan Murray has hit out, saying it’s ‘unacceptable’ that people are having to travel so far to access basic treatment.

She has launched a campaign calling for funding to create a new health hub.

Susan, 65, exclusively told the Glasgow Times: “Quite simply it’s just not good enough that people are being asked to make these types of journeys to get to important medical appointments. They should be available on their doorstep.

“The need for community-based care has never been more important.

“People are living longer and vulnerable patients are being forced to travel miles to Kirkintilloch to be seen. Times are already tough, which is why government money must be spent wisely and in a tailored fashion to serve the needs of each individual local community.  

“Ridiculous waiting and travel times cannot go on any longer, which is why we have launched this campaign. Change is urgently required as the people of Milngavie and its surrounding areas deserve better. Right now, they are being let down – people here deserve the services that other areas have easy access to. This type of thing should not be down to financial constraints.”

READ MORE: Woman became carer at 12 after grandad's dementia diagnosis

A bid to create a modern health and community hub was put on the table in 2020 by the East Dunbartonshire Health and Social Care Partnership but was turned down.

One resident, who did not wish to be named, told the Glasgow Times that she is having to fork out on taxi fares from her home in Milngavie to Kirkintilloch after an accident where she tore a tendon in her leg.

The 78-year-old said: “I’d like to know why I’m having to travel miles for routine physio appointments and why these services are not being offered here?

“I don’t have any family and I can’t drive because of the injury I suffered. I think it’s ridiculous that it’s costing me taxi or bus fares just to get access to the medical care I need. It would make life so much easier for a lot of people in this neighbourhood if we had these types of appointments within the community. There are multi-purpose health centres being funded in other areas so the money is there if the people in charge feel the project is worthwhile. There’s a real need for a modernised facility which would mean elderly people like me wouldn't have to travel to another town and back.

“I know I’m not the only one in this position, surely community-based care should be more of a priority now than ever before?”

Susan has set up a petition which she hopes can drive change. She wants people to sign up to highlight the strength of feeling locally and hopes to be able to present the document to health board chiefs.

She added: “While many of the residents here are self-sufficient, there is no getting away from the fact that they are left out of pocket by having to get to Kirkintilloch Health Centre, be it by taxi, car or bus.

“We know from lockdown that mental health services have never been more important and should be more accessible on a local level.

“Residents deserve professional and improved facilities and there’s a real appetite to make this happen.”

READ MORE: Glasgow Beatson bride pledges to give dream dress to cancer patient

Susan, who lives in Kirkintilloch, also says she’s hearing from constituents who are struggling with the cost-of-living crisis and rising energy bills.

She added: “People all over the country are feeling the pinch as household bills soar along with food prices. It just seems very unfair that people also face the added cost of travelling to what would be considered routine medical appointments on top of this.”

A spokesperson for NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde said: “Our transformational change strategy Moving Forward Together sets out our vision for where and how services will be delivered in the future. Two key aspects of that vision are that we want to enable people to stay in their communities accessing the care they need, and to access high quality primary and community care services close to home.  

“We are currently in the process of developing an Infrastructure Strategy for NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde to support delivery of the Moving Forward Together vision. Taken alongside the Infrastructure Strategies of our Health and Social Care Partnerships, we will then carry out a process of prioritisation, and develop a NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde programme of investment over the short, medium and longer term, subject to funding being made available from the Scottish Government."

To sign Susan’s petition visit edlibdems.org.uk/1/petition-milngavie-health-care-centre