Speaking ahead of her visit Sturgeon said: "I am visiting Vale of Leven Hospital to see first-hand the sterling work staff at this hospital do.

"The Renal Dialysis Unit, which allows patients to be treated as close to home as possible, is just one example of the excellent work carried out at this hospital and others throughout Scotland.”

She said that she knows a lot of the staff and patients will have questions about NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde’s proposals for the future of the hospital, which is why she is there to listen to what they have to say on the issue.

She continued: "I want to ensure that the public have confidence in decisions made by NHS Boards and have already taken steps to make sure they are more involved in the decision-making process. The views of local people will have an important bearing on the final decision that is reached.

"The proposals on service change published so far by Greater Glasgow and Clyde are just that - proposals. No final decisions have been taken and the proposals will be subjected to independent scrutiny and public consultation before coming to me for a final decision.

"I have been clear all along that any proposals for significant service change in the Scottish NHS - including those put forward by NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde - will now be subject to rigorous independent scrutiny before public consultation can take place."