THE last few residents will soon be moved into nursing homes but NHS bosses say that the future will be bright for Helensburgh's Jeanie Deans Unit.

The hospital has faced closure as an in-patient unit for the elderly and terminally ill since a shift in government policy back in 2003.

NHS Argyll and Clyde, who were axed and replaced by NHS Highlands in April, were set to sell the site to developers.

Now new managers say they have positive plans for the building and are just waiting for approval from the Scottish Executive before they get to work. Anne Helstrip, NHS Highlands locality manager for Helensburgh and Lomond described the proposals as a 'very exciting development.' She added: 'Because of government policy and the changing way in which we look after older people the Jeanie Deans unit is no longer required for the use it was originally designed for but we are not going to close the building and board it up. There will not be bulldozers going through the gardens. NHS Highlands have made a commitment to maintain and develop it.' If given the rubber stamp by government ministers, outpatient services for mental health, disability and podiatry care will be moved from the Victoria Infirmary to the more modern Jeanie Deans unit. There are also plans to set up social work facilities at the site in the future.

Anne said: 'I want to assure people living in the Helensburgh and Lomond area that we are not losing anything, we are changing things for the better and gaining new facilities. The Jeanie Deans is a more suitable site for these outpatient facilities because it is a flexible, modern building with better disabled access.

'All the services that used to be provided at the Jeanie Deans on the site will now take place in people"s own homes or within nursing homes.

`Palliative beds currently at the Jeanie Deans will still be available but will probably be moved to a nursing home.' Council Convenor Billy Petire said: 'A lot of people will be sorry to see the Jeanie Deans go but we have to accept that it is a decision the government has made. We fought to keep the unit and lost but I am delighted that it will be retained for health care for people in this area.'