INVERCLYDE Royal now needs £100 million worth of repairs as concerns about the future of the hospital intensify.

The bill for the backlog has continued to spiral in recent years, with MSP Neil Bibby today exposing the now record-breaking amount.

This follows the axe for intensive care, the launch of the Tele's campaign to save the unit and a public petition which has swiftly gathered the support of almost 11,000 people.

Politicians from across all parties have also united in their opposition to the health board's actions.

Labour MSP Mr Bibby uncovered the £100m maintenance backlog using Freedom of Information laws.

Mr Bibby said: “The total repair bill IRH is enormous and it is growing.

"This £100 million figure makes it abundantly clear that we are not getting the multi-million pound investment we need in this hospital and that the communities of Inverclyde are being forgotten about and left behind.

“NHS staff have been going above and beyond, before and during the Covid crisis.

"It’s important that the people we depend on to care for us have a safe, modern working environment.

"It doesn’t matter if they’re working in a big, new city hospital or at the IRH, every part of the country should be getting a fair deal."

Mr Bibby has demanded to know how much of the bill is accounted for by safety-critical work.

The backlog of repairs at Inverclyde Royal has been hotly debated in recent years but it has rocketed from the £65m reported four years ago.

It is now almost £30m more than the outstanding work required at Paisley's Royal Alexandra.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon and Health Secretary Jeane Freeman have both recently said they are committed to the hospital, while the health board insists that IRH has a long-term future.

The Telegraph has invited NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde to respond on the condition of the building and repairs bill.