FIRST minister Nicola Sturgeon says the Scottish Government is 'committed' to Inverclyde Royal Hospital amid ongoing concerns about services and the building itself.

Ms Sturgeon gave reassurances about the future of the IRH during a visit to Greenock.

It comes after the Telegraph reported on a series of issues affecting the vital facility, including a severe shortage of out of hours GPs and controversial reviews into the future of services and wards such as the intensive care unit.

The condition of the building has also been much talked about in recent years with former provost of Inverclyde, Councillor Ciano Rebecchi, claiming recently that it is being 'run down' by NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde health board in a bid to downgrade the IRH and turn it into a 'cottage hospital'.

The comments from the veteran health campaigner came after the Tele published photographs showing areas of the IRH in a serious state of disrepair.

But Ms Sturgeon dismissed the suggestion that the district's hospital is suffering a 'death by a thousand cuts' as she gave it her backing.

The FM told the Tele: "The Scottish Government and the health board are committed to Inverclyde Royal. "We will continue to work with the health board to make sure that services are delivered and delivered in a safe and secure basis for the patients who rely on that hospital and the staff in that hospital who, of course, do a fantastic job."

In a wide-ranging interview with the Tele in November 2015, Ms Sturgeon said there was 'no substance' to fears about the future of the IRH as she spoke of how 'important' the facility is to the area, adding that the government 'value local provision of services'.

Since then, some paediatric services have been moved to the Royal Alexandra in Paisley.

Last June the Tele revealed how accident and emergency at IRH will no longer treat patients who have suffered life-threatening or serious injuries in a major shake-up.

A new tiered system will see around 800 patients a year moved to the Royal Alexandra or, in the most serious cases, to the Queen Elizabeth in Glasgow.

A number of services at IRH remain under review as the health board looks at ways to save around £90 million across the greater Glasgow and Clyde area.

NHS GGC have consistently said the IRH will 'continue as a local hospital' but will become a 'centre of excellence' for specialist care and planned operations, such as knee replacements.

Health board chiefs say the accident and emergency department will also remain.