Concerns have been raised about proposed changes to the sexual health service in Inverclyde

Currently the Sandyford Service operates three times a week every Monday, Wednesday and Thursday from 9am to 5pm at Greenock Health Centre.

Now it is being proposed that the service operates two days a week at the health centre with extended opening hours from 9am to 7.30pm.

And on one day a week there would be no consultant.

Rhoda MacLeod, who is the head of adult services for sexual health at NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, told a meeting of the Inverclyde Integration Joint Board why changes to the service were necessary following a review.

She said: "It's important to summarise why we embarked on this review.

"Sandyford has been struggling for quite a while - our waiting time targets are poor.

"We have longer waiting times for IUD (intrauterine device, or coil) and implants.

"We have also been struggling to meet our urgent care targets which is 48 hours.

"This has crept into three sometimes four working days.

"The routine care target we set is 20 days but that is sitting at 28 days plus.

"We're not happy with our performance."

Ms MacLeod explained that the service have been under increasing strain due to various factors including a lack of highly skilled consultants and the introduction of a new appointment system in 2015.

Following the review, it is recommended that Inverclyde provides routine scheduled and emergency care from Greenock Health Centre over two days instead of three.

Health bosses believe this will benefit young people who will receive dedicated appointments from 3.30pm to 7.30pm.

Under the plans, patients in Inverclyde who require urgent care would be seen at a 'few larger connecting services', the locations of which are yet to be determined - although Paisley is an option.

There will also be specialist services based at various Glasgow city centre locations.

Independent councillor Lynne Quinn, who is a member of the joint board, said she was concerned about how easily people from Inverclyde could access the services.

She said: "It looks like the more in need of care you are the further you've got to travel.

"It's just a general concern about travel and access.

"Why is it always Glasgow?"

Cllr Quinn also said she was also worried to see in the report that young people from Port Glasgow are currently disadvantaged with the move of the service in December 2016 from Boglestone to Greenock.

In response, Ms MacLeod said they had to based the more specialist services where there is the greatest demand and that is not currently in Inverclyde.

She also defended the move of the service from Port Glasgow to Greenock, stating that they saw a dramatic drop in the number of patients when they were based at Boglestone.

She said: "Boglestone was a disaster in terms of that it wasn't a good location for the service, as we experienced dwindling numbers accessing it.

"This has improved since we moved to Greenock."

Health bosses are also looking at providing more support online including the introduction of sexually transmitted infections (STI) home test kits.

Ms MacLeod said: "Because Sandyford is open door but a very specialised service, we want to make sure that we improve access for people that are maybe a bit worried but who could manage their own sexual health."

A further progress report on the plans is to be submitted to the board at a later date.