Beds are set to be removed from Ayr Hospital, according to health chiefs.

A source from the hospital said that staff were made aware of the potential plans to close ward 10 in the hospital earlier this week.

Despite the ongoing pressures on the care system, NHS Ayrshire & Arran have said that the move is being carried out as the beds were introduced to deal with the pressures of the pandemic.

The source also said that as many as 76 beds are said to be at risk as part of the reduction.

Staff say that the ward is fully-functioning, and there is confusion as to why the ward is being closed.

A meeting is believed to be taking place for staff today, to determine where they are placed moving forward.

Three current level 3 Intensive Care Unit (ICU) beds in University Hospital Ayr are also set to be transfered to Crosshouse on an interim basis.

Joanne Edwards, Director of Acute Services said: "NHS Ayrshire & Arran has an ongoing approach to reducing beds that were opened to provide additional capacity during the pandemic.

"These additional beds were opened across our hospital system and so the reduction in beds will be safely planned across the system and not just at University Hospital Ayr.

"As we progress with the reduction, staff currently working in those areas will be offered roles in other wards. We have high vacancies across the system and so there will be no detriment to staff.

"These bed closures are not linked to the interim decision to move level 3 Intensive Care Unit (ICU) beds to University Hospital Crosshouse."

The Scottish Government said they did not have anything to add on this matter.

The SNP have also been approached for comment.