A 'DELIGHTED' Stuart McMillan last night pledged to protect services at Inverclyde Royal Hospital after sweeping to victory in the Scottish Parliamentary election.

The re-elected MSP for Greenock and Inverclyde also promised that the SNP government will invest in the fabric of the IRH building — which currently needs an estimated £100m worth of repairs.

Quizzed about his 2016 election victory comments about his record of 'fighting' for the hospital's services, Mr McMillan said he had been given a clear indication from Nicola Sturgeon that this would be a priority.

Mr McMillan told the Telegraph: "The first minister copied me into an email reply to someone a few days ago and she made it very clear that IRH has a future.

"Investment will be going into IRH and I know that NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde has been working on plans to improve the hospital in terms of both services and the fabric of the building."

Mr McMillan said in 2016: "My record is there for all to see in terms of fighting for services at Inverclyde Royal Hospital. The hospital is very important to everyone in Inverclyde and is a vital factor in the efforts to maintain our population."

Mr McMillan reiterated his party's intent to hold a second independence referendum, but not until recovery from the coronavirus pandemic has been secured.

He said: "Providing there is support within the Scottish Parliament, a referendum should happen in a post-pandemic environment."

He took 54 per cent of the constituency vote, an increase of 0.3 per cent from 2016 and polled 2,000-plus more votes than last time as well, with 19,713, compared with 17,032 before.

His majority of 8,174 was slightly down on the 2016 result when he was 8,230 ahead of Labour.

However, turnout was higher this time around on 63.59 per cent of the electorate voting, compared with 57.7 per cent previously.

Mr McMillan said: "Recovery, the NHS and the environment are the priorities right now.

"We will put more focus on reopening society.

"The vaccine rollout is going extremely well and will help with the next steps of getting back to a sense of normality.

"There are many challenges ahead, not least the fact that we know that we will face a huge mental health challenge, but we will meet them head-on."

Mr McMillan praised his staff for their work as he marked the victory.

He said: "I'm delighted. There was a higher turnout and an increased percentage of the vote for the SNP.

"I'm so pleased for my staff who have worked tremendously hard over the last few years, and the last 14 months in particular with regard to Covid."

Tory candidate Caroline Hollis said: "I suppose 1,300 more people voted Conservative this time than last. That is a positive for me and the party."

During the count, a minute's silence was held at 11am to remember those who lost their lives in the Greenock Blitz 80 years ago.