Union bosses have warned they will fight any moves to downgrade Inverclyde Royal Hospital

Concerns have been raised by Unison over a decision to stop treating trauma patients at the local accident and emergency department under a new controversial hierarchy of hospitals.

Greater Glasgow and Clyde health board is under fire from campaigners over the decision to send all patients with serious, life threatening injuries to the Royal Alexandra in Paisley or the Queen Elizabeth instead.

Union leaders are now demanding answers about the impact it could have on other areas like high dependency and intensive care wards in Inverclyde.

Unison's divisional convenor Raymond O'Donoghue said: "We have questions for the chief executive.

"We want to know precisely what they mean by trauma.

"What will this mean for high dependence and the intensive care unit?

"We will campaign against any downgrade to the hospital.

"Unison have written to chief executive Jane Grant to raise concerns with her over the proposed three trauma unit model across the health board area.

"Geographically this would leave Inverclyde Royal Hospital in a vulnerable position with only a local emergency unit to serve the population.

"We need clarity on what is actually being proposed and the impact this will have on the local community.

"Unison will campaign to prevent any downgrading of emergency services in the Inverclyde area and will consult with the local community on this as a matter of urgency."

On announcing the decision NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde said that the extra capacity freed up in surgery will allow the IRH to be a centre of excellence for elective surgeries like knee replacements.

The Telegraph asked them to respond to Unison's points and questions but instead they repeated statements that they had already made on the matter.

A spokesman said: "This proposal is a national approach to the management of trauma patients which is being implemented across Scotland.

"Within the new trauma model, Inverclyde Royal Hospital will be a local emergency hospital, receiving emergency general surgery and medical patients, which makes up the vast majority of the emergency department admissions.

"To support this emergency activity across Clyde, approval has been given to appoint two additional consultants to support emergency flow.

"The IRH will play a vital role in this major trauma network in the quick repatriation of patients for rehabilitation in hospital, in the community or at home.

"Each patient will have a tailored rehabilitation plan that is started early and follows the patient through their rehabilitation journey, with timely access to the most appropriate rehabilitation services, facilitating a seamless journey home to their family.

"This new model also means that theatre time will be freed up at the IRH, allowing it to become a centre of excellence with continued access to specialist care and an increase in planned operations such as knee replacements.

"It is hoped that nearly 360 more of these operations can be carried out at the IRH each year.

"We are pleased that the plan received the backing of Councillor Jim Clocherty, the chair of Inverclyde Integration Joint Board, at our recent board meeting, who said he believes this proposal will secure the future of the hospital."