PLANS to axe Inverclyde Royal’s birthing unit to help cover a £69 million funding black hole will be formally put to members of the health board at today’s meeting.

The Tele revealed earlier this month that Greater Glasgow and Clyde NHS bosses are pushing ahead with controversial proposals which would mean that no more babies would be born here in Inverclyde, with all deliveries shifted to Paisley and Glasgow instead.

The convenor of the local health and social care committee, Joe McIlwee, who also sits on the NHS board, today vowed to fight against the plan.

Councillor McIlwee and other board members will be told today that full details about the proposed axe will be ready for a meeting in August, as officials pave the way for a public consultation on their proposal.

Ministers would still be expected to have the final say on the matter.

The in-patient children’s ward at the RAH, which is used by many families in this area, would also close under the new plans, which first came to light when secret documents were leaked.

Mr McIlwee said: “I fought against this the first time round and we secured a three year extension.

“My concern is always for those in Inverclyde who can’t easily get to hospitals and don’t have cars.

“It is not easy for them.

“At the end of the day it is the Scottish Government who will decide — we will see if they have a will to keep it open.”

Inverclyde MSP Stuart McMillan today repeated his commitment to oppose any streamlining of services at the hospital.

He said: “I have a record of campaigning to save maternity services at the IRH and I have the same opinions now.

“The next few years are hugely important for the future of the NHS.

“It is essential that we make the right investment and reforms to ensure that we’re ready to meet the challenges of the future, however I will vigorously oppose any attempts to streamline services at the IRH.”

The health board says it will engage with the public and patients on the proposal.

An internal document seen by the Telegraph shows that in a 12 month period 16 babies were born at the midwife-led Inverclyde community maternity unit, where consultants were removed several years ago.

There are no plans to shift ante and post-natal care from the unit.