Plans that would axe more beds from West of Scotland hospitals were yesterday outlined by health board managers.
NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde said two wards for people with mental health problems at the Vale of Leven Hospital in Alexandria may have to close, with patients sent to Glasgow instead.
Other overnight services for mental health patients in the Clyde area would also be centralised under the proposals.
The announcement came just days after the board recommended scaling back emergency health care at the Vale of Leven, a move that threatens up to 150 medical jobs.
The Health Secretary, Nicola Sturgeon, has already said she will seek a second opinion on this strategy.
NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde has been reviewing mental health services for patients since the board took over management of health care in the region.
A number of measures to improve community care for patients were outlined yesterday and the board said these changes would mean it was likely fewer overnight beds would be needed for patients.
However, Suzy Johnston, who was treated at the Vale of Leven's Christie ward and who has written books about her mental illness, said that before beds are scrapped the community services must be established and proven to work.
"No matter how well-intentioned, the centralisation of inpatient care will see fewer psychiatric hospitals. The real risk is that these units will be enlarged to accommodate the ever-increasing numbers of patients requiring care, returning us to the era of the large psychiatric institution."
There is room for 36 people with mental health problems in the Christie and Fruin wards at the Vale.
NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde said it was exploring moving patients from these units to Gartnavel General in Glasgow amid concern that the medical cover in Alexandria was unsustainable.
In addition, the board is considering centralising overnight services from Dykebar Hospital to the Royal Alexandra Hospital in Paisley and linking with a private company to provide accommodation for elderly people with mental health problems in place of Ravenscraig, Dykebar and Dumbarton hospital services.
Anne Hawkins, director of the mental health partnership for NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, said: "There is a real need to shift the balance of care and resources from inpatient services to community-based services, in line with arrangements in other parts of the country, including Greater Glasgow."
The proposals are due to go before the board next month.
Campaigners who have fought to save services at the Vale have expressed anger about the proposed further cuts. Members of Vale Hospital Watch have already vowed to fight the recommendations to downgrade emergency care.
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