Published: Wednesday, 2nd December, 2009 4:00pm

Hospice decision shock

by Julie Gilbert

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ANGER: Professor Leo Martin

A DECISION which could lead to the closure of St Margaret's Hospice has been described as "appalling", "shameful" and "disgusting" this week.

Serious question marks have been placed over the future of the Clydebank facility after a lifeline over funding for beds was brutally removed on Friday.

In February St Margaret's was given a three-year reprieve regarding the removal of an annual £1.2m for 30 continuing care beds, by Greater Glasgow and Clyde health board (GGC).

This gave supporters hope that the recently extended facility - which relies on a combination of GGC funding a charity donations - would be allowed to keep the beds.

But on Friday, buried in an announcement regarding Blawarthill Hospital, GGC revealed funding would be taken away from St Margaret's in 2013 in favour of the new Yoker facility.

Professor Leo Martin, who is chairman of the board at St Margaret's, says this puts the whole future viability of the hospice at risk as it may not be able to make up the funding shortfall.