THE First Minister has said it is important the concerns of St Margaret of Scotland Hospice are addressed.

During First Minister's Questions in the Scottish Parliament, Nicola Sturgeon also agreed to a meeting with the health secretary over the possible threat of means testing for extended care beds.

Clydebank MSP Gil Paterson raised the question over the hospice after West Dunbartonshire Council voted unanimously Wednesday night to oppose funding arrangements transferring to the Integrated Joint Board (IJB), which could lead to means testing.

Mr Paterson asked: "The hospice is concerned that proposals by the integration joint board to use beds as social care beds might raise questions about the hospice’s charitable status and, more important, its ethos.

"I believe that an amicable solution is entirely possible. To that end, can I request a meeting with the health secretary to explore whether the Scottish Government can play a role in supporting a resolution to this very important issue between the integration joint board and the hospice?"

The First Minister said: "First, I know how valuable and valued the services provided by St Margaret of Scotland Hospice are to those who benefit from them. When I was health secretary, I had a very close interaction with the hospice and, indeed, helped to allay some of the concerns that it had back in those times.

"As I understand it, the West Dunbartonshire health and social care partnership has said that there is nothing in the proposed arrangements that would undermine the hospice’s charitable status.

"However, it is clear from what I have already heard and from what Gil Paterson has said in the chamber that the hospice still has concerns, and it is important that we try to address those concerns.

"Gil Paterson has asked specifically for a meeting with the health secretary, and she will be happy to meet him to discuss how the integration joint board and the hospice can find not only an amicable solution but, most important, a solution that will allow St Margaret of Scotland Hospice to continue to provide the excellent care that it provides for people in its surrounding communities."

Meanwhile council leader Martin Rooney has written to finance secretary Derek Mackay to object to the settlement with local government, but to also as for an exemption for the hospice.

He wrote: "That special consideration is given to the introduction of an exemption for St Margaret of Scotland Hospice from the Scottish Government's policy change on NHS Continuing Care Beds in order that the hospice can continue with its endeavours to retain its charitable status and not be placed in a situation whereby future patients will be means tested, and that that the service should continue to be funded by NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde Health Board."