A ROW has broken out over alleged asbestos safety breaches at two west of Scotland hospitals.

The Health and Safety Executive has submitted a report to the Procurator Fiscal after an investigation found evidence of contamination in a plant room at the Southern General, Glasgow.

The Executive said a report was also due to be submitted to the Crown Office following an investigation at Dykebar Hospital,Paisley.

However, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde claimed it was told by the HSE it would not be taking any further action at this site.

Two other investigations were carried out at Clydebank Health Centre and the Skyelark Centre at Inverclyde Royal Hospital. They have been concluded with no further action taken.

The health board was prosecuted and fined £6000 last year for breaches at a plant room at Yorkhill Hospital, which was accessible by the public.

NHS boards have a responsibility to ensure asbestos is safely managed and contained, and that it is not removed unnecessarily. The substance only becomes dangerous when it is disturbed.

An HSE spokeswoman said: "We submitted a report to the Crown Office Procurator Fiscal Service for consideration relating to the Southern General.

"The investigation at Dykebar has concluded and a report is being prepared for consideration by the Crown Office.

"Two other investigations at Inverclyde Royal Hospital and the Clydebank Health Centre have been concluded and the HSE is not recommending any further action."

A health board spokes­woman said: "Whilst NHSGGC is facing legal action regarding asbestos in one room, a plant room at the Southern General Hospital site, the HSE have advised no action will be taken against NHSGGC following its investigations into asbestos at the three other sites.

"We received verbal feedback from the HSE no further action would be taken at Dykebar. We will be seeking clarification about this on Monday.

"We proactively reported to the HSE the presence of asbestos when it was identified at Clydebank Health Centre, Dykebar Hospital and the Skylark Centre at Inverclyde Royal Hospital.

"The HSE has also been supportive of the recent appointment of an NHSGGC asbestos manager - a post created to further strengthen our already robust asbestos procedures.

"We are fully compliant with all the legislative requirements around asbestos surveillance."

caroline.wilson@ eveningtimes.co.uk