INVERCLYDE’S MSP has vowed to stand by his promise to oppose health board plans to halt birthing at Inverclyde Royal.

Stuart McMillan was commenting after NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde decided to press ahead with a consultation over controversial multi-million pound cost-cutting proposals to end all births at IRH.

Mr McMillan said he would lead any campaign to oppose the move, a vow he made earlier this year when the Tele revealed secret plans were being discussed trying to close the IRH birthing unit.

Labour warned during the Scottish Parliament election campaign that the unit was under threat after secret health board documents were leaked to the Tele.
The claim was rubbished at the time by the MSP, who was subsequently elected to represent Greenock and Inverclyde.

He then said after the election that he would fight for services at IRH, even it it meant going against his own party.

And today he repeated that vow.

He said: “I will vigorously oppose any attempts to streamline services at the IRH. I have a record of campaigning to save maternity services at the IRH, and I have the same opinions now.”

Mr McMillan said the IRH ante-natal and post-natal services will remain, and that Inverclyde people must make their views known during the consultation, which is due to start early next month.

He added: “There are usually 30 members of the health board, most of which are made up of health and finance professionals. The remaining seven members are Labour councillors — one representative of each local authority in the health board area.

“However, it has just been revealed that the Inverclyde representative resigned last week, which has left Inverclyde without a crucial voice in these discussions.

“The next few years are hugely important for the future of the NHS. There has never been more pressure on our NHS than there is today. It is essential that we make the right investment and reforms to ensure that we’re ready to meet the challenges of the future.”

Councillor Joe McIlwee, convener of Inverclyde’s health and social care committee, was Inverclyde’s representative on the health board — until last week.

He said today he retired from the board because he has changed his job.

A new Inverclyde representative won’t be appointed until the next meeting of the full council on September 29.

Cllr McIlwee failed in a bid to block the birthing unit proposal at a board meeting in June, and said today he is worried about local families if the Scottish Government gives the go-ahead for closure.

He said: “The number of births are low, but there is still a need for the unit. Stuart McMillan has vowed to protect services at IRH and the Scottish

Government will take the final decision on the unit, so it is up to them to put their money where their mouth is, and ensure the facilities are there to keep numbers up.”

Labour West of Scotland MSP Neil Bibby said Inverclyde people should also demand that the threatened children’s ward at Paisley’s Royal Alexandra Hospital, used by Inverclyde youngsters, also stays open.

He said: “It is now official that the health board plan to close the Inverclyde birthing unit to the local families that need it because of £69 million of cuts from the SNP Government. 

“It is unacceptable, and these damaging cuts should be stopped immediately by the SNP Health Secretary. 

“The birthing unit at Inverclyde Royal is a valuable and integral part of the local NHS, and should be maintained.”

Mr Bibby added: “In addition, the closure of inpatient paediatrics services at the RAH also means that the children’s ward in Paisley will be closing to thousands of Inverclyde and Renfrewshire children who need it. 

“It is abundantly clear that SNP politicians have been caught out — they wrongly denied these proposals existed before the election. 

“After the inaction of local SNP politicians, it will now fall to the SNP Health Secretary to make amends and keep these vital local NHS services.”