HIGHER than expected death rates have been flagged up at two Scottish hospitals.

The latest figures, published yesterday, showed hospital mortality has dropped by more than 14% across Scotland since 2007.

However, death rates at Ayr Hospital and Monklands Hospital, Lanarkshire, were above average during the last three months of 2013.

Monklands is part of a safety drive after grave concerns were raised last year. Ayr Hospital has a good longer term record but is expected to investigate.