Health board bosses under growing pressure to fully restore intensive care in Inverclyde Royal

During a debate in the Scottish Parliament led by Greenock-born list MSP Jamie Greene calls were made for an end to the transfer of the most seriously ill patients, who are now treated at the Queen Elizabeth under a new 'patient pathway'.

A number of concerns were set out by MSPs across the chamber as they expressed disappointment at the recent change.

NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde had recently sparked outrage when they took the decision to move level three ICU patients out of Inverclyde.

MSP Mr Greene said he was 'proud to have raised this important issue on a national platform in our parliament.

He added: "It is reassuring that there are now clear cross-party calls for level three services to return when the Covid ‘state of emergency’ ends.

“Whilst I’m disappointed that the health secretary herself did not take part in the debate, a junior minister was there to listen to each of our speeches and concerns.

“The government benches were predictably defensive in their dismissal of our cross-party worries about the reduction in services at the hospital.

“Once again, I would like to thank local residents, councillors, MSPs and MPs for their ongoing efforts to help protect the services offered by the ICU and the hospital as a whole – our fight continues and we won’t give up.”

Constituency MSP Stuart McMillan criticised the health board for making changes suddenly and called their communication a 'disgrace' and said it showed a disregard for his constituents.

He added: "I want level three care for patients fully returned to Inverclyde Royal Hospital, in fact I want more services at the hospital.

"I would like this to happen as quickly as possible."

The MSP also followed his SNP council colleague Chris McEleny by calling for the health board to commit to a new hospital.

During the debate Mr Greene said: "The strength of feeling to protect the intensive care unit, for patients who need it, for as long as they need it, is not just palpable but entirely justified.

"On the first of October, staff were told level 3 ICU patients would be moved to Glasgow although that had been under threat for much longer.

"In December last year, the government confirmed in writing that its two funded beds were at risk.

"It said that risks and challenges existed which might impact its ongoing sustainability."

West Scotland Labour MSP Neil Bibby also raised the alarm about the rising cost of the IRH repair bill during the debate.

He added: "According to Transport Scotland, the M8 between Renfrewshire and Glasgow is the most congested section of motorway in the country.

"But while people travelling from elsewhere in the city have access to a number of alternative routes, those travelling from Inverclyde are limited.

"For all those reasons, there is deep anxiety in the community about the extraction of any services from the IRH, let alone intensive care beds.

"The failure of the Scottish Government to understand that anxiety or to intervene and set the health board on a different path is increasingly met with frustration and distrust."

Health minister Clare Haughey responded to the issues raised by video link, following a suspension due to technical problems.

She repeated the position of the health board and the health secretary Jeane Freeman and went on to say the change would only affect around 100 patients a year.

She said: "I am sure all members would agree that the quality of care and patient safety must be paramount and underpins what is happening in Inverclyde.

"The health board are formalising the clinical pathways which ensure that the most seriously unwell local patients can access the specialist services and support they need."