SERIOUS concerns have been raised after Inverclyde Royal patients were left in a ward as water leaked in through the ceiling.

A concerned relative says it's unacceptable that patients were not moved out of Ward G South after water started coming in next to the bathroom on Friday evening.

A plastic bucket had to be left on the floor, surrounded by towels.

The source, who wished to remain anonymous, says patients should have been moved out to allow urgent repairs to take place.

They said: "I feel disgusted by it.

"I don't think it was the best environment for patients to be in.

"I was only there visiting for about 15 to 20 minutes on Sunday and I had to leave because it smelled vile.

"The ward smelled like faeces.

"I think the patients should have been moved out on the Friday night.

"It's worrying that patients were left in this environment."

The relative says the leak started after a tile fell from the ceiling.

They said: "My relative is in a four bed ward, with two other patients.

"The leak began in the room outside the bathroom.

"At 3.30am on Saturday, the nurses called for the bed manager and maintenance to come and see the situation.

"It took until 11am on Sunday for maintenance and the bed manager to visit.

"They both discussed the situation in the room and a maintenance man was overheard saying that the room should be closed, but the bed manager laughed and said this was impossible due to lack of beds."

It is understood that the two patients who were nearest the leak were moved out of the room but another patient was subsequently moved in due to a shortage of beds elsewhere.

The relative added: "The maintenance man advised it was corroded pipes and we believe that the room above was closed.

"The nurses did everything they could, but the bed managers didn't seem to be able or willing to move the patients."

Health chiefs from NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde today defended the way they handled the situation and categorically denied there was any presence of sewage.

In a statement, the health board said: "We can confirm there was a water leak caused by a faulty wash hand basin which has now been fully repaired.

"Our infection control team have reviewed the area and have confirmed that there no concerns for patients within the ward environment."