UNION leaders have raised concerns about plans to downgrade the security presence at Glasgow Royal Infirmary.

NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde wants to cut the number of staff per shift by a quarter at the hospital which recorded the highest number of security breaches last year.

Glasgow Royal Infirmary and the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital are the only hospital to have a dedicated security presence.

According to Unison, the health board is proposing to have three members of staff on every shift at the GRI, instead of four.

Earlier this year, the Evening Times revealed that patients and staff were put at risk more than 100 times due to security breaches.

Figures show there were 133 incidents logged last year involving security threats at the city’s Royal Infirmary.

A further 38 incidents at the hospital involved theft, vandalism or lost property.

Matt McLaughlin, head of health for Unison Scotland, said: "We of course appreciate that NHSGGC is looking to save significant sum's of money to balance the books.

"However this proposal just doesn't make sense.

"With government calling for increased public vigilance, increasing criminality including theft and violence in our hospitals and public safety this decision just does not make sense

"There are normally four members of staff on every shift and they want to take that down to three.

"Often they will work in pairs so they can support each other. There is a reason why police officers go about in twos."

NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde said a “small number” had been serious incidents but did not give any further details.

A spokeswoman for NHSGGC said: "The safety of our staff is paramount and we have a range of measures to protect our staff including a security team at Glasgow Royal Infirmary.

"Over the last year our experience has shown that it is safe and sustainable to have one person less than the rostered level.

"This has not led to any detriment to the service or any adverse incidents and our proposal is to reduce the rostered level by one person as a permanent arrangement.

"If this is agreed, as is the case with all our hospitals, facilities staff would be available to provide additional support if required.

"Discussions are ongoing with staff side partnership colleagues.

"In line with our organisational change policy no member of staff will suffer detriment as a result of this change and will be offered alternative jobs."

Two years ago, a female worker was attacked as she walked along a link corridor between the old and new buildings of Glasgow Royal Infirmary.

It came less than four weeks after a 25-year-old woman staff member was attacked in the same corridor at 12.50am on December 18.