LABOUR Councillor Alex Gallagher has expressed “extreme concern” at plans to close the local maternity unit.
Last week the maternity unit in the new Queen Elizabeth University Hospital had to turn away expectant mothers because it was full to capacity.
But Inverclyde SNP MSP Stuart McMillan said that the First Minister was misquoted for political gain. 
Women in childbirth were diverted to Inverclyde, but the Inverclyde Maternity Unit is under threat of closure by the Scottish Government.
Cllr Gallagher said: “It’s ironic that women have been diverted to Inverclyde which is targeted for closure by the SNP Government. It make no sense to close our local maternity unit when it is clear that there is insufficient capacity in the west central belt to meet current demand.”
“On top of that, during last year’s election campaign the First Minister made promises to keep the Inverclyde Maternity Unit open.”
“I am extremely concerned about the impact of this proposed closure. I have therefore written to the Health Secretary Shona Robison MSP asking that she reconsiders the closure decision.
“I have also written to SNP MSP Kenny Gibson as a local representative to take up our case with Ms Robison, to keep her promise and to keep this unit open”.
Mr Gibson responded: “My colleague Stuart McMillan MSP is dealing with this as Inverclyde Hospital is in his constituency. It is against the rules of the Scottish Parliament to take forward issues outside one’s own constituency, even if it impacts on one’s constituents.
“The last time I did so a member of your party complained and I was reprimanded by the Presiding Officer!
“I have every confidence that Stuart is dealing with this matter effectively.
Stuart McMillan said: “The incident at Queen Elizabeth Hospital was resolved quickly by the hardworking NHS staff and the patients concerned were transferred to local hospitals only 15 mins away.
"The divert – to the nearby Royal Alexandra Hospital and the Princess Royal Maternity – was put in place due to a high number of admissions to the QEUH and a number of women and babies developing complications.
“Thankfully arrangements are consistently in place where three maternity wards are utilised during peak times in demand across NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde. 
“Arrangements were made for three women to be admitted to other maternity hospitals in the area and a further two women had their planned procedures safely deferred for a matter of hours.
“During an interview with the Greenock Telegraph, the First Minister stated: ‘There are no plans to centralise services out of Inverclyde. If there were to be, which there are not at the moment, there would be a full process of public consultation.’
“At no point did the First Minister speak specifically about the maternity services.”
“Late in 2016, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde published proposals affecting the IRH Birthing Unit. 
“I have voiced my concerns, met with both the Chair and Chief Executive of the Health Board, met with the Health Secretary, attended the public event at the IRH, been critical of the health board’s process thus far and have encouraged members of the public to get involved in expressing their concerns.
“This week, I’m asking the First Minister a question at First Minister’s Questions (FMQs) on the events of the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital and the proposals affecting the IRH.
“I believe in service delivery locally but also appreciate that the full facts and information, including medical safety guidelines, should be fully considered.”
“Up to now, less than a handful of people have contacted me about the proposals but I continue to encourage my constituents to get involved in the consultation process.”