Almost 600 operations have been cancelled in hospitals across Glasgow following the closure of a unit responsible for sterilising surgical equipment.

As reported by STV News previously, inspectors found issues with the fabric of the Cowlairs Decontamination Unit building in Springburn last week.

All of the instrumentation has had to be collected, decontaminated, sterilised, tested and repackaged. In the meantime, duties have been transferred to another unit at Inverclyde Royal.

A total of 569 surgical procedures and major surgeries have now been postponed, with patients at Glasgow Royal Infirmary, Queen Elizabeth University Hospital, Stobhill Hospital, Gartnavel General Hospital and New Victoria Hospital affected.

A NHSGGC spokesperson confirmed the service at Cowlairs has been given the green light to reopen, however it will likely take a few days before it is fully operational.

They stated: "Our own internal infection control environmental testing is continuing. As soon as this testing is completed we will begin the process of bringing the unit back into full production.

"Patient safety remains our top priority, and, it is essential that these processes are fully completed which is likely to take a few days. The precise date will be confirmed as soon as possible.

"In the meantime, we continue to maximise our alternative capacity, working with other health boards, to ensure our emergency, trauma and urgent cases are prioritised.

"In order to protect this emergency activity, we postponed a further 245 planned operations on Thursday."