The Greenock Telegraph’s fight against cutbacks to a local maternity unit has ended in defeat, with the announcement that it is to be permanently downgraded.

The newspaper had fought a tireless campaign to keep Rankin Maternity Unit consultant-led but despite the backing of more than 3,000 readers, health minister Malcolm Chisholm has announced that the unit is to become a midwife-led centre.

Earlier the paper had vowed to continue its fight, with its front-page proclaiming “It’s not over yet” after the local health board voted in favour of the downgrade.

But now the health minister has given his final say, meaning the move to switch all but low-risk births to the Royal Alexandra Hospital in Paisley will become permanent. An extra ambulance is to be made available to take other patients to Paisley.

Telegraph editor David Carnduff said: “Without being defeatest, we have to be realistic and in some respects the campaign is now over.

“We are very disappointed, and on behalf of the community we now have to make sure that what is put in place best serves the needs of the people of Greenock.

“We have had a lot of readers’ letters since the announcement and it is certainly still an issue of concern and anxiety.”

During the campaign the newspaper gathered more than 3,000 signatures from readers opposing the plan to downgrade the unit – and editor David even manned a stall in a local supermarket to help drum up support.

It also published a centre spread with 100 headshots of a cross-section of its readership, under the headline “100 voices, one clear message”, which was later presented to the health minister.

Back to the campaigns index

Do you have a story about the regional press? Ring 0116 227 3122/3121, or
e-mail [email protected]