THE Health Minister has been asked to intervene after a report highlighted "unacceptable" elderly care at a Glasgow hospital.
The Evening Times revealed how patients were being forced to use showers with no screens or locks at the city's Royal Infirmary with limited access to toilets for patients with zimmers.
The official report found conditions at the city's Royal Infirmary did not "consistently" respect the dignity of patients.
Elderly charities branded the report findings "unacceptable" in a strongly worded statement.
Glasgow Labour MSP Drew Smith has written to the Cabinet Secretary for Health, Nicola Sturgeon, asking for assurances that the "alarming" issues identified in the report have been addressed.
He called on her to raise the issues personally with senior staff at the hospital and to give assurances that the hospital is adequately resourced.
The problems at the GRI were identified in an Healthcare Improvement Scotland report on elderly care and are expected to be raised in the Scottish Parliament this week.
Drew Smith MSP said; "I will be seeking to raise this issue further in the Chamber, as, in my view, the Healthcare Improvement Scotland report is utterly unacceptable.
"I have previously raised complaints which I have received from constituents about levels of service at the Royal Infirmary with Greater Glasgow Health Board.
"But in this instance I think it is necessary for the Cabinet Secretary to make clear that we have the resources needed at the GRI and a statement from her that she has personally sought an assurance that all of the problems which have been identified will be addressed.
"Elderly patients not only deserve dignity, it should be expected and ensured by the NHS in Scotland."
A spokeswoman for NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde said it "fully" accepted there were a number of areas which require improvement and had already put in place initiatives to improve care for elderly patients.
caroline.wilson@ eveningtimes.co.uk