Some panels of cladding are to be removed from the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital as a precautionary measure, it has been announced.

The panels were identified after a major audit of fire safety at the Glasgow hospital in the wake of the deadly fire at Grenfell Tower in London in June.

NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde (NHSGCC) said the survey identified a type of aluminium composite material (ACM) had been used which was similar type that used on Grenfell.

The material is not the exact type as the cladding on the London tower block, but is being removed anyway in a bid to reassure patients and staff.

An NHSGCC spokeswoman said: "The Queen Elizabeth University Hospital is one of the most fire safe buildings in the country, having been designed and engineered to meet building and fire safety regulations.

"However, as a purely precautionary measure, and to make sure the public, our patients and our staff have full confidence in the safety of the hospital we have taken the decision to remove the panels.

"Our hospital management teams are working on plans to minimise the impact on patient care."

The panels are used in three external sections of the building, the spokeswoman said.

Health secretary Shona Robison said: "Patient safety is paramount and that is why further forensic checks are currently taking place across the whole NHS estate in Scotland.

"Following the identification of a type of ACM on the QEUH of a similar type to, but not the same as Grenfell, I am reassured that NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde have decided that the material is should be removed as a precautionary measure."

NHSGGC has been assured by Multiplex, the main contractor for the hospital construction, that the insulation material used in QEUH - Kingspan Kooltherm K15 Insulation Boards - were properly installed to meet building and fire safety regulations.