AROUND 80 consultants at a Glasgow hospital have signed a letter to health minister Maree Todd, demanding action over anti-abortion protests.

76 doctors from hospitals across the city have signed a letter which calls for tougher action on protestors they say are "bullying" patients.

Activists from the 40 Days of Life campaign have been targeting the QEUH on the Southside of the city with action culminating with around 100 protestors outside the hospital grounds on Sunday. 

Doctors who signed the letter say that campaigners have been "restricting women's access to healthcare" and that their actions are "deplorable intimidation" of women they believe deserve compassion and support.

The group, supported by Back Off Scotland, say that action from the Scottish Government is overdue.

Northern Ireland recently passed a Safe Access Zone, restricting protests near hospitals and Spain has also made the harassment of women illegal. Back off Scotland is calling for similar action.

Monica Lennon, Scottish Labour MSP, called the intervention "significant". 

She tweeted: "This significant intervention by leading doctors is a wake up call for Nicola Sturgeon and Maree Todd to take immediate action to safeguard access to safe abortion.

"Abortion rights in Scotland are under attack. The Scottish Government must show leadership. It’s long overdue."

Nursing student Lynn Taylor said she had no idea protests were "this bad" in Scotland. She said: "I had no idea it was this bad in Scotland.

"Disgusting behaviour. This can be so traumatic for many adults and children seeing this, let alone those going through abortions."