Campaigners fighting to save vital services at the Vale of Leven Hospital are optimistic that round-the-clock GP cover will be reinstated.

Members of the Hospitalwatch group held crunch talks with health board chiefs on Tuesday after an announcement last week that the out-of-hours service was being temporarily cut back.

NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde sparked a storm of protest by saying the service was to be suspended in the evenings and at weekends because it had become “unsustainable”.

After Tuesday’s hastily-arranged meeting, Hospitalwatch chairman Jim Moohan told the Advertiser: “We are confident after what proved to be blunt, but constructive, talks, that GP cover will be returned 24/7.

READ MORE: MSP 'furious' as Vale hospital's out-of-hours GP cover is cut back

“That was our aim in going into the meeting, that the cover is there at all times.

“We had to address the chaos caused by last week’s announcement and we have done that.”

The health board and Hospitalwatch are expected to issue a joint statement outlining the new position within the next few days.

Mr Moohan added: “The mistrust with the health board had returned as a result of the chaos caused by the announcement last week.

LATEST HEADLINES: Budget cuts threaten schools' ability to deliver PE, warns Arrochar head teacher

“It had taken us 15 years of discussions to build trust with the board and for it to fall apart was unacceptable.

“We don’t want that trust fractured in any manner whatsoever.

“We have been down this path umpteen times before and we don’t want to keep having to return to the table.

“This is the end of the line as far as we are concerned and we want to return to a good working relationship with the board.”

READ MORE: Helensburgh's MSP slams latest figures on Vale out-of-hours GP service closures

The out-of-hours GP service is being scaled back, or temporarily suspended, at four other sites in Greater Glasgow and Clyde in addition to the Vale hospital.

Meanwhile, local MSP Jackie Baillie has organised two public meetings to protest against the cutbacks.

One will be held at Helensburgh Parish Church on Friday, March 27 at 7pm; the second will take place at the Concord Centre in Dumbarton on Monday, March 30 at 7.30pm.

Ms Baillie is angry there was no consultation with local people and described the move as “a breath-taking disregard for their interests”.

LATEST HEADLINES: Most Argyll and Bute suicide victims 'never called NHS for help', says new report

She added: “It’s shocking that this could go on for 18 to 24 months whilst the health board redesign the out-of-hours service.

“I have raised out-of-hours services at the Vale of Leven Hospital numerous times with the health secretary, including last week, when I demanded that she sack the chair and chief executive for their failure to get to grips with delivering the most basic of emergency service.

“It’s time for the Scottish Government to intervene to maintain local out-of-hours services and sack the chair and chief executive of the board.”

The health board said it faced “significant challenges” in staffing their sites which had “led to short-notice centre suspensions, resulting in an inconsistent and unsustainable service”.

LATEST HEADLINES: MSPs to grill transport secretary on A83 landslide saga

It blamed “local operational issues” as well as factors including pension changes, which have led some senior medics to shun overtime work that could result in substantial tax bills.

Tuesday’s meeting between health chiefs and Hospitalwatch was also expected to discuss levels of ambulance cover in the area.

Mr Moohan said the Scottish Ambulance Service (SAS) had scotched rumours that the rapid response vehicle situated at Lomondgate in Dumbarton was to be moved.

READ MORE: Click here for all the latest news headlines from across Helensburgh and Lomond