THE Health Secretary is expected to indicate today if she will allow Glasgow’s health board to shut two community maternity units.

Shona Robison will respond on behalf of the government to a national review of maternity services, which was published last month.

She is likely to comment on plans by NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde to shut community maternity units at Inverclyde Royal and Vale of Leven hospitals.

The Health Secretary has previously said she could not act until the review was complete.

Scottish Labour say a key recommendation of the review for ‘accessible, local delivery of services’ runs contrary to the proposed closures and has urged Ms Robison to intervene.

Scottish Labour’s Health spokesperson Anas Sarwar said: “This is the chance for the SNP to intervene and save valued maternity units like those at Vale of Leven and Inverclyde.

“Health Secretary Shona Robison is trying to kick this issue into the long-grass until after the election, but she must now step-up and deliver on her party’s promises to protect local services.

“She said she could not act until the National Review of Maternity Services made their recommendations.

“ It could not be clearer that services should be accessible and local.

“Will SNP ministers listen to the experts and respect the wishes of local people and the Scottish Parliament, or will they press ahead regardless? Today, Nationalist ministers have to decide.”

NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde will also meet today to push ahead with plans to shut the children’s ward at Paisley’s Royal Alexandra Hospital following the end of a public consultation.

The board said no strong argument had been put forward which had over-ridden the clinical case for transferring inpatient care to the Royal Hospital for Children in Glasgow.