They claim this will mean a much poorer service and could be a dangerous move, increasing the risks to children.

Under the health visiting review, Greater Glasgow & Clyde Health Board plans to place health visitors in clinics instead of local surgeries and GPs are worried that patient care will suffer as a result.

Dr Alastair Taylor, of Kessington Medical Centre, Bearsden, said: "We have already seen a dramatic drop in the number of experienced health visitors and the appointment of nurses, some with no previous relevant experience, who are being asked to perform duties without adequate training.

"We are concerned there is going to be a breakdown in communication between GPs and health visitors and between health visitors, mothers and children.

"This is potentially dangerous and is already resulting in a much poorer service for mothers with some already complaining to their practices.

"The vast majority of GPs throughout Glasgow have been campaigning against this proposal but we feel we are not being heard.

"In my practice our health visitor left and we have been told her replacement will not be based in our practice but in Milngavie Clinic instead. We are not even sure if she will be our contact.

"Apparently, as babies are born they will be assigned a health visitor from the geographical team depending on case load.

"Already the Bearsden Baby Clinic has closed without public consultation. We now need patients to know what is going on and complain to the Community Health Partnership (CHP), Health Board, the council and Scottish Government."

A total of 46 GPs, including 11 from Milngavie and Bearsden, have signed a letter sent to Tom Divers, chief executive of Greater Glasgow and Clyde Health Board to register their concerns.

They fear if these changes go ahead health visitors will have to spend their time as administrators and managers rather than hands on health professionals. There may also be a poorer pick up of child protection issues, a decline in breast feeding and a drop in children's immunisation rates.

Dr Taylor added: "We believe the initial review process had no real input from either GPs, families or health visitors. The discussion paper that was produced was flawed and will actually increase the risks to children rather than reduce them."

A spokesperson for Greater Glasgow and Clyde Health Board defended the proposed changes and explained that each GP practice will have a named health visitor who will continue to deliver a wide range of services in the local community. All families will also have a named health visitor and will be able to contact them directly for support and advice.

She said: "Health visitors will become part of new child and family services teams which will bring together health and social work staff to provide a wider, more joined up service to local families."

Dr Linda de Caestecker, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde's director of public health, added: "The key driver for these changes is to increase support for the most vulnerable children and their families.

"Children in the most disadvantaged circumstances are far less likely to take up the routine health checks that health visitors currently provide.

"By targeting our resources towards the children who need them the most, we believe we can improve the outcomes for some of the most vulnerable children in Scotland.

"Health visitors will also be freed from carrying out many routine and administrative tasks.

"We are confident that these changes will maintain important links with GPs.

"We are also committed to maintaining the current high levels of immunisation and this important local service will continue to be available to all children across Greater Glasgow and Clyde.

"We have already met with local GPs to discuss their concerns and hope to meet with them again soon to resolve these issues. North Glasgow GPs have also been invited to join a local implementation group which has been set up to take forward the review."

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