Nurses being fitted for PPE at Inverclyde Royal Hospital have cars struck by 'despicable' vandals

Vandals struck and keyed the cars of two hospital workers on Monday

Critical care nurses Maryke Mclaren and Clare Adams visited Inverclyde Royal Hospital (IRH) in Greenock, Inverclyde on their day off on Monday, in order to be fitted for personal protective equipment (PPE).

But while they were in the hospital, between mid-morning and early afternoon, 'despicable' vandals struck and keyed their cars.

As well as the stress of working 12-hour shifts caring for patients with the deadly virus, the medics are now facing the prospect of having to get their cars fixed - which they depend on for work.

Maryke, who lives in Wemyss Bay, Inverclyde, said: "At this moment in time we could really do without this additional stress.

"We're already worried about our own families, and friends and patients and their families.

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"It's stressful enough wearing PPE for 12 hours, but now we're going to need to try to get our cars fixed as we need them to get to and from work.

"I'm just really annoyed someone thinks this is OK to do."

Local councillor Jim McLeod said: "One of my constituents alerted me to what happened at the hospital and it is truly cretinous behaviour.

"It is horrible anyone doing such a thing at any time, but especially at a time like this.

"I hope the person or people who caused this damage are proud of themselves - it is truly shocking.

"It would be great if some local garage could come forward and help these nurses.

"I'd even be willing to help cover costs, as I am sure many others would be.

"It is just so nasty."

Raymond O'Donoghue, Unison official at IRH said: "I can't believe anyone would do such a thing, these nurses are in saving lives and now they're going to be out hundreds of pounds getting the damage repaired.

"It is absolutely disgusting as they've enough to worry about."