NHS Tayside’s chief executive has been quizzed by politicians over growing concerns about the future of Montrose Infirmary.
The infirmary on Bridge Street has been closed for three weeks due to the failure of the heating and water systems.
Local mums-to-be don’t know if they will be able to give birth in Montrose, with NHS Tayside still unable to identify a date for reopening.
Angus MP Mike Weir said he was aware of the concerns raised after being contacted by several constituents on the matter.
He said: “I have been in touch with NHS Tayside expressing the concerns raised with me and seeking further information on the closure and assurance on a timescale for reopening the unit and its future.
“It is vital that the unit is reopened as soon as possible.”
Montrose councillor David May has also written to the chief executive of NHS Tayside about the long-term future of the infirmary.
He said: “I fully understand that many women who are reaching full term have real concerns.
“I have asked the chief executive for reassurance about the long-term future of the hospital as women in labour will have to travel to Arbroath, and other patients in the hospital, and their families will now have to travel to Brechin.
“This is hard enough if they have their own transport, but much more difficult if they have to rely on public transport.”
“I also want assurances that boiler repairs are under way and what the timeframe is for the reopening of the hospital as like others I have concerns that if repairing the boiler is not economical, this will be used as an excuse to close down the hospital for good.”
Maternity services have now been transferred to Arbroath Infirmary with 10 babies already born in Arbroath rather than Montrose since the April 24 closure.
A new maternity unit for Montrose was originally planned for 2004 by NHS Tayside, but the process has repeatedly stalled during the past decade.
A Facebook page has now been set up to save the maternity unit and the midwifery team in the wake of the concerns.
North East MSP Alex Johnstone has described the uncertainty over the reopening as “deeply concerning”.
He said: “The fact is that any decision on the future of Montrose Infirmary and maternity unit must be taken on the basis of clinical need, and not on budgets.
“NHS Tayside must not use the issue of equipment failure to diminish the service it was providing.”