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Glasgow Royal Infirmary patients 'missing appointments' broken lift

Glasgow hospital patients 'missing appointments' due to lift broken for MONTHS <i>(Image: Photo by Jason Dent on Unsplash)</i>
Glasgow hospital patients 'missing appointments' due to lift broken for MONTHS (Image: Photo by Jason Dent on Unsplash)
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Patients are "missing appointments" at a hospital in Glasgow due to a broken-down lift.

There are two passenger lifts within the Medical Block of the Glasgow Royal Infirmary (GRI), only one of which is working.

Multiple sources have told the Glasgow Times that the lift, which is claimed to have been out of action since August 2025, is causing issues for patients and staff.


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One source within the hospital told the Glasgow Times: "It's a nightmare, there's just the one lift that's trying to take staff and patients to and from places.

"Patients are missing appointments, and staff are rushing around trying to get to the next person that needs them.

"It's causing serious issues."

Another source said: "The lifts have been an issue for a long time.

"Staff and patients are having to access lifts in other wards at busy times to try and get where they need to go.

"This can be quite the diversion, though, and it can be a long way for patients especially to go."

The health board has apologised for the issues caused and stated that it intends to invest heavily in new lifts across the facility.

An NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde spokesperson said: "We are aware of issues affecting the availability of lifts at Glasgow Royal Infirmary and we apologise to patients, staff and visitors for the inconvenience this has caused.

"Within the Medical Block, there are two passenger lifts, and one of these is currently out of use.

"During 2026/27, a planned programme of investment and upgrade across GRI will see three new lifts installed in the hospital’s Medical and Surgical blocks, and we thank patients, staff and visitors for their patience while this work is carried out.

"When lift failures are experienced, Estates Management staff react and respond immediately, and specialised contractor support is available 24/7 to assist with repairs.

"While repairs are carried out, patient access is always prioritised."

Glasgow Royal Infirmary patients 'missing appointments' broken lift (Image: Newsquest)


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It comes after we reported earlier this week that family members were forced to bring in blankets for "frozen" patients in GRI wards.

Hot water is also "an issue" within the facility, and showers are "frequently out of use."

The Glasgow Royal Infirmary has apologised for any "discomfort" experienced by patients and said it is working to resolve the issues.

We reported earlier this month that all potentially life-saving scans at GRI were cancelled because staff had not completed a legally required check.

MRI and CT scan staff were unable to perform their duties this month, resulting in the cancellation of all vital scans.

This was due to the staff, who are understood to work for a private company, not having Protecting Vulnerable Groups (PVG) checks in place.

The PVG scheme is a Scottish membership and disclosure system, run by Disclosure Scotland, designed to prevent people known to be unsuitable from undertaking “regulated roles” with children or protected adults, whether paid or voluntary.

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