AN MSP who made an election vow to fight for an Inverclyde Royal Hospital replacement has been forced to defend his record after it was revealed that his last in-person meeting with the health secretary about the issue occurred over FIVE years ago.

Chris McEleny, who is standing for the Alba Party at the upcoming general election, has demanded Inverclyde’s Holyrood representative Stuart McMillan explain a ‘lack of progress’ towards replacing the area’s ageing infirmary.

His comments came after a freedom of information request revealed that the SNP MSP had only held two in-person meetings with Scotland’s health secretary in relation to the request since May 2016.

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The Scottish Government confirmed meetings about a new hospital had taken place on May 30, 2017 and December 6, 2018, but could not provide further details about the sit-downs as no notes were taken.

Mr McMillan previously called for an IRH replacement during his 2021 re-election campaign and said that he wanted the public to be involved in drawing up the plans. 

However, it was revealed earlier this year that all new NHS building projects across Scotland have now been delayed or paused for up to two years as a result of budget pressures.

Mr McEleny has now cast doubt on whether replacing the hospital remains a priority for the local MSP.

Greenock Telegraph: Chris McEleny ..Christopher McEleny.

He said: “The construction of Inverclyde Royal Hospital commenced in 1970.

“It won’t be too many years into the future before we could have the same arguments used to justify the closure of Greenock Police Station used to justify the closure of the relation to the IRH.

“The government have suspended any new hospital projects until 2026, so that makes it all the more disappointing that Stuart hasn’t met with the health secretary once since he was re-elected to make the case for a new build Inverclyde Hospital.

“In fact, he hasn’t had a meeting with the health secretary for six years. Perhaps if he had made this a priority then Inverclyde could’ve had a better chance of making the case for investment before the Scottish Government announced the suspension of new builds.

“When the government embargo ends it’ll be ten years since Stuart first said he was going to make this a priority, something he again said he would take forward of re-elected.

“Therefore, it’s important that people in Inverclyde have explained to them why there has been a lack of progress towards securing funding for a new hospital and importantly despite Stuart McMillan saying this would be a top priority if he was re-elected why then has he failed to even meet with the health secretary to make the case for investment in Inverclyde?”

Mr McMillan has today pushed back against the claims that he had not done enough to make the case for investment.

He told the Telegraph that he had exchanged written correspondence with ministers about the issue and had taken his requests up with the NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde health board.

Greenock Telegraph: Stuart McMillan MSP

He said: “The replacement of the IRH is important for Inverclyde. In addition to the meetings highlighted, there has been written correspondence and discussions with cabinet secretaries and ministers when discussing a range of matters within the constituency.

“The IRH is raised as a key part of helping our area.

“Furthermore, the many discussions I have with NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde have consisted of me raising both investment in and a new IRH as well as a new Port Glasgow Health Centre.

“One thing that holds Scotland back is Westminster control of the finances. Fourteen years of austerity, a Brexit we didn’t vote for and a cost-of-living crisis has led to the Scottish Government budget being cut, in real terms, so many projects have either been delayed.

“Inverclyde’s health situation is well known, and a new facility will certainly provide a better place for people to be treated and recover in.”