PICTURE 1: Although the Rankin was all about educating expectant mums and the delivery of babies thereafter, the place also played a major part in encouraging breastfeeding initiatives with babies’ long-term health in mind. This picture, taken in 1994 shows the Breastfeeding Support Group posing for a photo at Greenock Health Centre. 

PICTURE 2: Local businesses that were baby friendly, provided changing facilities and believed that mums should be able to breastfeed freely, were awarded the national Baby Care Symbol which they proudly displayed in windows and prominent places. Representatives of Valentino’s, CC Browns and Harwoods are seen in this picture, holding Baby Care table mats and posters along with midwives. 

PICTURE 3: The Rankin was always at the forefront of encouraging young mums to breastfeed where possible instead of bottle-feeding their young. Initiatives included forming localised groups, and even an awareness balloon launch, held in the grounds of the original Rankin Maternity Hospital in the 80s. This picture shows how support and awareness had grown over the years when mums gathered for a photocall in 1998.

PICTURE 4: History was made in 1994 when the last baby to be born in Rankin Memorial Hospital met the first new arrival at the new Rankin Maternity Unit in Inverclyde Royal Hospital. Then Greenock Telegraph deputy editor Stewart Peterson presented baby Joseph Quinn and his mum Arlene with a layette, while Boots sales manager Anne Marie Deveney and senior assistant Rosalind Hutcheson handed over gift vouchers to baby Graeme Knock and his mum Mairi, as Rankin clinical director George Anthony, clinical services manager Caroline Darlymple, Patricia Donnachie, staff midwife, Sheila Thompson, staff midwife and Christine Galloway, midwifery manager, looked on.

PICTURE 5: Even midwives have to take time to unwind and any many Inverclyde mums and dads will recognise the faces of staff pictured here who might have helped them through one of the most exciting and tense times of their lives at the Rankin Memorial Hospital and Rankin Unit. 
Although erosion of services continues at local level regardless of whatever government is in power at the time, the Rankin Unit is still very much in business as a community maternity unit. Inverclyde parents can still look forward to top class maternity care provided by people who are passionate about the service they provide.