Martin McCluskey has urged Scotland’s new health secretary, Angela Constance, to take urgent action on a series of unresolved issues, including the long-delayed replacement of Port Glasgow Health Centre and ongoing problems at Inverclyde Royal Hospital.
A new health centre for Port Glasgow has been promised for several years, with commitments repeated during both the 2021 Scottish Parliament election and the recent campaign.
However, there is still no confirmed timetable for construction, no agreed funding route and no clear indication of when work could begin.
The Labour MP said: “There are a number of long running healthcare issues affecting Inverclyde and Renfrewshire West which require urgent attention and where local people are increasingly losing patience after years of delay, disappointment and broken promises.”
He has asked for clarity on the current status of the project, whether funding has been allocated and when construction is expected to start and finish.
Concerns were also raised about the condition of Inverclyde Royal Hospital, where longstanding maintenance issues remain unresolved.
Healthcare Improvement Scotland previously set a 2026 deadline for the replacement of the building’s façade and windows after concerns were raised about its condition.
However, that deadline now looks set to be missed, with no confirmed funding in place for the work.
The hospital has faced repeated issues with water ingress in recent years, while staff and patients continue to use facilities affected by the deteriorating estate.
The MP also raised wider concerns about the future of services at Inverclyde Royal Hospital, amid fears locally that provision has been gradually reduced over a number of years.
He warned that Inverclyde already faces significant health inequalities and said communities cannot afford to see services weakened further.
Mr McCluskey has asked for assurances that there will be no further downgrading or transfer of services away from the hospital, and that it will continue to operate as a sustainable district general hospital.
He said local people deserve clarity about the future of their health services after years of uncertainty and delay, and has called for an early meeting with the Health Secretary to discuss the issues.
In response, a Scottish Government spokesperson said: “A new health and care centre is planned for Port Glasgow.
“A final decision on the Inverclyde Royal Hospital will be taken when full costs are known once the design is complete.”