HERO medics fighting to save the lives of coronavirus patients in Inverclyde have been issued with personal protective equipment which is nearly four years beyond its original use-by date.

Face masks supplied to Inverclyde Royal Hospital and two other care facilities in the district last week were labelled as safe to use only until August of 2016.

But numerous batches of the PPE have now had stickers placed over the original date - which was printed directly on the packaging - indicating an extended shelf life until August 2021.

NHS workers are said to be 'deeply concerned' about using the gear amid allegations nationally that the Scottish Government 'ignored' offers of brand new PPE from six companies.

Meanwhile, it appears that local health board bosses are scrambling to test the out-of-date equipment in a bid have it deemed safe to use for another 16 months.

The Telegraph understands that, as well as IRH, the masks have also been sent to the Langhill Clinic psychiatric care unit and Orchard View, the facility for older people suffering from dementia and adults with mental health problems.

An NHS source alleges that workers have been threatened about going public over the current situation.

The insider told the Telegraph: "We have been warned that if we speak out we will be suspended.

"We noticed that the sticker on the box of our 'new' safety masks was different to the rest of the box, and was dated 2021.

"It took some amount of peeling off, but eventually I got there and found that our safety PPE was actually repackaged and in reality it is years out-of-date."

Another source added: "People are worried and anxious enough about coming to work every day in the midst of this pandemic.

"They are also deeply concerned that the PPE we are getting is so old.

"It is alarming to see stickers placed over the original safe use date."

Reports emerged at the weekend claiming that at least six firms who offered to provide life-saving PPE to the Scottish Government were 'ignored'.

The suppliers were said to have been ready to deliver millions of face masks, as well as gowns, gloves and hand sanitiser last month but alleged inaction from government officials led to the deals failing and the PPE going elsewhere.

A government spokesman said: "We understand that potential suppliers will desire prompt decisions, but our priority focus is to quickly identify those offers that can supply the largest volumes at the correct quality specifications and timescales necessary to meet the requirements of frontline services."

NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde insisted yesterday that the re-labelled masks which have been delivered to frontline workers in Inverclyde are safe.

A health board spokeswoman said: "We want to thank all staff for continuing to care for patients and keeping them safe in response to COVID-19.

"We are working extensively to source personal protective equipment to the appropriate quality and quantity so staff are protected.

"These products are part of the UK pandemic stock and NHS supply chain and Public Health England have worked with manufacturers and/or independent test houses to formally test certain products, to see if it is possible to extend their life via accelerated age testing.

"The products that pass these stringent tests are being re-labelled and used and those which are not up to standard are being destroyed before distribution from the pandemic stock.

"Any masks distributed to our sites are safe and can continue to be used."