Malcolm Chisholm met the Greenock MSP

Malcolm Chisholm told Labour MSP Duncan McNeil that he would listen to the arguments put forward by campaigners.

Mr McNeil, who represents the Greenock and Inverclyde, is among those fighting the proposals which were approved by the area's NHS board last month.

The Royal Alexandra Hospital in Paisley will be left as the only consultant-led unit in the area, serving mothers-to-be from as far afield as the Kyle of Bute and North Ayrshire.

The Rankin Unit at Greenock's Inverclyde Royal Hospital - which currently provides a full service - will be left with a midwife-led service.

Two hospitals

Opponents fear this will lead to the loss of further services at the hospital.

Mr McNeil also believes it could result in the centralisation of consultant-led inpatient services for more than 800,000 women and children in two hospitals just seven miles apart.

Speaking after a meeting with Mr Chisholm, he said: "I am somewhat heartened by the minister's assurance that he will not rush into rubber stamping this decision, but will examine carefully the points which we have been advancing.

There is no excuse for not fighting on Duncan McNeil MSP

"He certainly seems more than happy to listen to our arguments."

He said Mr Chisholm would be under "immense pressure" to back the board's decision.

"But our arguments are strong and the minister has shown a willingness to listen to them, so there is no excuse for not fighting on," said Mr McNeil.

The proposals have been defended by the board, which said it was addressing fears that safety could be compromised for women and their babies.

The reasons behind the shake-up included a falling birth rate and difficulties in recruiting and training junior doctors.

Well received

The board also said that the impact on other services would be addressed as part of a wider review of health care services.

Mr McNeil is also seeking a parliamentary inquiry into the issue of centralisation in the NHS.

The MSP said his request had been "fairly well received" by his colleagues on Holyrood's health committee.