MSP Sharon Dowey has said that alleged closures at Ayr Hopsital could cost lives.

The Scottish Conservative and Unionist MSP for the South Scotland Region has written a letter to Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care, Humza Yousaf, about alleged closures of services at Ayr Hospital.

Ms Dowey cites claims from a whistleblower that says the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and Accident and Emergency (A&E) departments could be scrapped from the hospital.

In what would be a damaging blow to the area, MSP Dowey says that these kind of changes, which would also see the loss of the acute surgical services, cannot be allowed to go ahead.

In a letter penned to Humza yousaf, Sharon Dowey writes: "NHS Ayrshire and Arran is already under a great deal of pressure, with waiting times, delayed discharge and cancelled operations spiralling out of control at both Ayr and Crosshouse Hospital.

"Not only would the closure of services at Ayr Hospital cause significant inconvenience for patients who would be expected to travel further afield for treatment, this move would put even greater pressure on Crosshouse.

"To increase demand any further by closing Ayr Hospital would be, in my view, a danger to patient safety and could cost lives.

"A town of Ayr's size deserves a hospital with ICU and A&E services and your government must not let these services shut down at the stroke of a pen".

The letter adds: "Understandably, staff at Ayr Hospital and local residents wil be frightened and upset by these reports.

"As such, it would be appreciated if you could urgently respond to this letter to clarify the government's position on this and categorically rule out the closer of ICU and A&E services at Ayr Hopsital".

The Scottish Government and NHS Ayrshire and Arran have been contacted for comment.