GLASGOW’S biggest hospitals are facing a 30 per cent jump in their business rates next year.

The troubled £800m Queen Elizabeth University Hospital faces the largest hike as a result of an independent Scotland-wide revaluation, up £3.5m to £11.1m from April.

Glasgow Royal Infirmary and Inverclyde Royal Hospital also see their rates rise, although Paisley’s Royal Alexandra Hospital benefits from a slight dip.

Overall, the bill for the four sites is up 29 per cent from £12.1m to £15.6m in 2017/18.

A survey of 30 of Scotland’s largest hospitals compiled by the Scottish Tories shows two-thirds will see rates go down, but with big rises in the other third.

Across Scotland as a whole, the rates bill rises 11 per cent, from £37.3 to £41.4m.

Forth Valley Royal Hospital is another big loser, with rates rising from £2.6m to £3.7m.

The £2bn a year collected from business rates goes into council coffers.

The Tories said the SNP government should rethink its business rates plans so the NHS could continue to provide the best possible service for patients.

Tory Glasgow list MSP Annie Wells said: “The extra business rates for Glasgow hospitals are worryingly high, and will be alarming for hospital managers and patients.

“It seems, as well as commercial businesses being hit in the pocket, even hospitals can’t escape this punishing increases.

“The SNP can’t possibly expect these hospitals to provide the best service for patients while being hit with these extra charges.

“Finances are tight within the NHS, and there simply isn’t enough money to be coughing up more cash for Scottish Government coffers.”

A spokeswoman for NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde said: “The increase in cost of business rates for NHS buildings is a cost that is outwith the Board's direct control but has been factored into the financial projections for 2017/18 and also for future years.”

A Scottish Government spokesman said: “Rating valuation of business properties is undertaken by independent assessors, funded by local councils, not the Scottish Government. “It is for councils to apply rates reductions, on top of existing statutory reliefs, as they see fit. Individual business rate payers can appeal their valuation if they feel it is incorrect.”