Anti-abortion protesters have been slammed after appearing to target non-English speaking patients outside Glasgow’s biggest medical facility. 

Campaigners outside the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital were pictured on Tuesday close to one of the main entrances holding signs, with some written in a foreign language. 

They were held up by a group of demonstrators positioned close to the maternity unit alongside others calling for woman not to terminate their pregnancies or for the practice to be outlawed.   

It was labelled as ‘another worrying development’ by a campaigning Glasgow MSP, who has previously confronted the group about their methods. 

Monica Lennon has called for buffer zones to be installed around hospitals to protect both women and staff. 

She told the Glasgow Times: “I believe that the women's health minister Maree Todd's got a letter from almost 80 clinicians at the Queen Elizabeth about this. 

“This is a very serious development. We need urgent action from the Scottish Government, and we need it now. 

“An emergency summit should be called, led by Holyrood but getting other MSPs around the table. Let's hear from patients and women directly affected. Let's hear from doctors.” 

One woman who we spoke to said: “It’s not right that they stand so close to the maternity wing with banners and placards.

“Coming here is difficult and stressful enough without these people singing hymns and judging people. Every appointment I’ve had here, I’ve had to pass right by them and it can be quite intimidating.” 

Ms Todd said she took the concerns raised by hospital staff “very seriously”, adding: “I will be very happy to discuss this further and hope to meet with staff.” 

Lennon travelled to the tackle the protestors face-to-face last month after becoming increasingly angered by their methods and says more now needs to be done. 

She added: “What has been highlighted by the Glasgow Times is worrying in that safe access to healthcare continues to be undermined by anti-choice campaigners, who have no regard for the privacy or dignity of the women and people they are door-stepping. 

“Action on buffer zones is necessary. This is not about silencing those with religious views and beliefs, it’s about creating a safe space for those attending clinics.  

“Healthcare professionals must be able to do their jobs and consult with their patients without interference from campaigners.” 

Protestors claim they are simply staging peaceful “prayer” outside the QEUH, but a spokesperson for pro-buffer zone pressure group Back Off Scotland labelled them “sinister”. 

They added: “This is happening right now outside the QEUH and is a timely reminder of why we need buffer zones now. 

“They’re targeting patients who don’t speak English with signs in foreign languages. Imagine trying to access abortion services and you are faced with this at the entrance to the hospital.” 

A recent poll revealed that two-thirds of Scots support the introduction of buffer zones around abortion clinics, with fewer than one in 12 opposing their introduction. 

The study, carried out by Sananta ComRes, showed half of those questioned ‘strongly’ supported them, with a further 18% ‘somewhat’ backing their creation. 

They have also been backed by First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, who has committed to legislating for them, with Scottish Green MSP Gillian Mackay consulting on a members Bill which, if passed, would see buffer zones of 150m around clinics. 

A spokesperson for Greater Glasgow and Clyde Health Board said: “This is not something we would comment on, other than to remind the public that our patients should be able to access treatment without fear or intimidation.”