This week, I wrote to Inverclyde’s SNP MP and MSP challenging them to a public debate on NHS cuts, following their silence on the closure of the Children’s Ward at the Royal Alexandra Hospital in Paisley.

Dear Stuart and Ronnie,

I hope you’re both well. In recent weeks, after the announcement of the closure of the Children’s Ward at the Royal Alexandra Hospital, there has been an orchestrated letter writing campaign in the Greenock Telegraph from several of your supporters attempting to defend this position.

I take the straightforward view that closing NHS services because of a lack of funding and poor workforce planning by SNP Governments since 2007 is an affront. It is made worse by the repeated promises by Nicola Sturgeon that there were “no plans” to close the Children’s Ward; promises she has also made about services at Inverclyde Royal.

As I said during the General Election in 2017, I will never be silent in the face of cuts and closures to hospital services. However, your silence on this high profile closure has been recognised by people across the community who are rightly asking what it means for our own local services.

That is why I want to invite one, or both, of you to debate this closure and the future of NHS services that affect Inverclyde. After ten years in Government, elected SNP representatives should be able to defend their Government’s record instead of sending your members and supporters out to have this debate on your behalf.

I look forward to your response.

Best wishes

Martin McCluskey
Inverclyde Labour Chair