AN hospital campaigner has asked why Inverclyde Royal patients are being sent to Paisley and Glasgow while a ward in the hospital lies empty.

Councillor Ciano Rebecchi says Ward L South, which is used for emergencies in times of extra demand, has been closed for months.

The councillor - a leading light in the successful fight to save the local A&E in 2004 - is demanding to know why the ward, which has beds in it, stays closed most of the year.

Cllr Rebecchi said: "I've been told it is used for emergencies and overspill.

"I understand when it is open, agency nurses are being brought in which is more expensive than 'bank' nurses.

"Why is this being done when 'bank' nurses are cheaper?

"And why has it been shut while patients are getting shipped up to Paisley?

"I think NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde should be making better use of public money."

Councillor Rebecchi recently criticised the use of taxis to take patients up to Glasgow hospitals for routine tests.

He argues that consultants should be brought down to Inverclyde to reduce waiting lists.

Councillor Rebecchi says that this, the temporary closure of the rehabilitation unit at the Larkfield Unit and a new hierarchy of hospitals for trauma cases, is another step towards downgrading the hospital.

He said: "There will be less operations carried out here and consultants will be taken away."

A spokesman for NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde today denied that agency nurses staff the ward in question but confirmed they do assist there.

"Our hospitals, like all hospitals across the UK, can be very busy during the winter.

"We plan for these winter pressures by creating extra capacity – such as extra beds in Ward L South.

"This creates extra resilience and enables us to promptly respond to any additional pressures by opening extra beds where appropriate.

"During these times, L South is staffed by at least one permanent member of Inverclyde Royal Hospital staff who is supported by a bank or agency nurse if required.

"We review our demand and capacity for the IRH frequently throughout each day and initiate escalation measures when required.

"This planning means we can open the ward at short notice if required.

"Every hospital in the country has to have flexible provision and the IRH is following this with L South being the designated ward.

"Where patients are sent to other hospitals it is for specialist treatment and not due to a lack of staff as claimed."