A COMMUNITY activist says the pandemic and events of the last year have shown the need to rally round and protect services at Inverclyde Royal.

Anne Ross, chairwoman of Port Glasgow West Community Council, says her group have been pressing health board chiefs for some time on the future of the hospital and has pledged to step that up.

Health board bosses have repeatedly said they are committed to the long-term future of IRH but Anne says the experience of the last year shows that the campaign must go on.

She spoke out following a turbulent 12 months which saw not only the pandemic but a huge furore over a decision taken to treat intensive care patients in Glasgow, returning them to IRH once they are stabilised.

A row over the matter led to a cross party council working group being set up to help safeguard services.

Ms Ross says she welcomes those who have joined the fight in recent months.

She told the Tele: "We have continually raised concerns regarding the removal of services from the IRH.

"We've highlighted the inconvenience caused to people having to travel to Glasgow and Paisley and the growing repair and maintenance costs, now in excess of £100 million.

"We have argued that it is the IRH, and Inverclyde patients, carers and visitors, who are paying for the centralisation of services at QEUH and Paisley RAH.

"Since our meeting at Port Glasgow Town Hall a year ago [with the health board] we have lost even more services.

"They have done this without consultation with Inverclyde Council leaders.

"Our focus is to save Inverclyde Royal and put a stop to it being taken away bit by bit."

Anne believes there has never been a stronger case than now for the hospital after the tragic death toll coronavirus has caused locally, with 191 lives claimed since the beginning of the pandemic.

She said: "Our area has been so badly hit by this, the cruellest of diseases.

"The staff at the IRH have still a battle on their hands as our area has the highest death rate in Scotland."

Ms Ross fears that the full impact of the virus is still to be felt, with long term effects taking their toll on survivors.

She said: "There will be future demands on our hospital.

"We have to remember that."

NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde says it is 'absolutely committed' to the future of the IRH and is happy to commit to further dialogue with groups like the community council.

Management insist the hospital will continue to play a crucial role in the delivery of care to the Inverclyde community and have pledged to continue to invest in infrastructure and services.

The health board also highlighted investment of almost £50m over the last decade.

Their spokesperson said: "Almost £46 million has been spent on improvements to hospital services.

“This has included new medical equipment, money allocated to update fire control measures, CCTV, drainage works, heating controls and lighting.

"A further £3.1 million will be invested in the IRH during 2021/22 on hospital infrastructure, ward and theatre upgrades.

“We have work under way to create a Centre of Excellence for elective orthopaedic surgery at Inverclyde Royal.

"We have appointed a design team for the £1.5m theatre investment, with a further £350,000 being invested to upgrade two wards to support the redesigned trauma and orthopaedic service.

“We have a long-term vision for NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde which is set out in our Moving Forward Together plan.

“We further welcome any additional opportunities to engage with our local communities to provide them with any reassurance they need and to answer any questions they might have regarding services at IRH.”