WORK is suspended on the £21 million new Greenock Health Centre for a review to be carried out into staff protection in the face of the COVID-19 crisis.

Concerns had been raised yesterday by workers at the site that the correct procedures were not being put in place in the face of the virus outbreak and lockdown.

Construction firm BAM announced they were stopping work, following other construction sites as well as businesses and retailers across Inverclyde who have all closed down.

A BAM spokesman said: "Construction activity at BAM Construct sites across the UK will pause from close of business on Wednesday 25 March to enable further detailed reviews of the working practices necessary to reduce the risks of Covid-19.

"BAM is determined to maintain the highest levels of safety for our employees and their families, our supply chain, our clients, along with the wider public.

"The majority of our facilities management sites are government public sector buildings which are all critical to our national effort to combat the Covid-19.

"BAM FM work in sectors such as health and social care, education, key public services, local and national government, public safety and national security, transport and financial services.

"The teams are working hard to keep these buildings operational.

"All our operations remain under constant review."

Workers had contacted the Tele to raise concerns that proper procedures were not in place at the site and said their safety was being compromised.

The new Greenock Health Centre is expected to be completed by autumn this year but the halt to work could push this date back.

It will eventually replace the existing centre in Duncan Street.

An NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde spokeswoman said: "Construction of the new Greenock Health Centre is a major capital build and we would expect contractors to operate within government guidelines in light of the current situation.”

BAM say they will look to open sites back up on March 30 but only if this is possible.