A LEADING local health campaigner who has battled bowel cancer believes his public call for action on waiting times is paying off.

Former Provost Robert Moran, who is Inverclyde's health and social care convenor, hit out earlier this year at figures showing local cancer patients faced some of the longest waits in the country.

But the government recently announced plans to invest £6 million in tests for suspected bowel cancer to cut waiting times.

The senior councillor had also recently slammed health board bosses for sending local people 30 miles away for procedures which could be carried out in Inverclyde.

He feels that ministers and NHS chiefs are taking account of public concern on the issues and seeking to address them.

Mr Moran was struck off the waiting list for potentially life-saving test after falling ill last year and faced an anxious wait for a colonoscopy.

The 65-year-old was unable to travel to an appointment elsewhere in the health board area and then learned he had been taken off the list altogether.

Councillor Moran said: "I think the government are finally taking action and listening.

"I have had such an overwhelming response since speaking out.

"People have been coming to me with their own situations.

"We all have to speak out over local health services.

"I think the pressure has resulted in the government taking action to invest more money."

The Scottish Government has announced a revised endoscopy action plan with the most urgent patients prioritised and seen within three weeks.

There will be additional endoscopy clinics and expanded training for nursing staff to deliver endoscopy.