THE closure of Ravenscraig Hospital is to be looked at again as part of a sweeping review of mental health services in Inverclyde.

It was set to be axed by the unpopular NHS Argyll and Clyde as part of its failed clinical strategy.

Now NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde has revealed it is scrapping the decision made by the old health board and starting a fresh review.

Their announcement comes amid speculation Ravenscraig - which treats geriatric and psychiatric patients - was to be sold off.

New health chiefs have already won praise for saving the accident and emergency unit at Inverclyde Royal, and campaigners are calling for mental health services to be kept in Inverclyde, whether or not the closure of the hospital goes ahead.

Former GP Dr Mustafa Kapasi said: 'I think services should remain local, but we have to look at how we do it. The important thing is NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde works very differently from the old health board.

'The IRH"s A&E was orginally going to be closed under Argyll and Clyde, now all the services are being maintained. Greater Glasgow is taking a fresh look at how best to provide services. Argyll and Clyde just wanted to move everything to Paisley.' Deputy convener of Inverclyde Council"s health and social care committee, Councillor Campbell Snoddy, who is also the council"s older persons representative, welcomed the review. He stressed there has been a move away from institutional care provided by Ravenscraig towards community settings.

Councillor Snoddy added: 'We have an excellent partnership with the health service. There always has to be a balance between inpatient and outpatient care.' Fight the Cuts campaigner Provost Ciano Rebecchi says if Ravenscraig was to close, he would like to see a new unit built in Inverclyde.

NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde has announced a review will take place which would look at reducing the reliance on inpatient beds.

A spokeswoman said that once plans are more advanced, discussions will take place with community representatives prior to any final decision being taken.

She added: 'NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde can confirm it has not sold the Ravenscraig site. There are no plans at the moment to sell the site, the closure of which was previously approved by the former NHS Argyll and Clyde.' At this week"s board meeting, chief executive Tom Divers said the aim is to provide a service in Inverclyde similar to what is provided elsewhere.