MORE than 2,800 people are backing a petition urging health chiefs to remove the royal title from Scotland's newest hospital.

The £842million facility, formerly known as the South Glasgow University Hospital, was named after the monarch after the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh officially opened it on Friday.

It is now called the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital.

But campaigners are calling for the name to be reversed.

They argue that naming the new hospital after monarch is "an affront to our democracy".

The criticism is in stark contrast to the cheering flag waving crowds who greeted The Queen and the Duke. Around 300 guests also attended the official opening.

The online petition, launched by John Beattie, says: "We call on the Greater Glasgow and Clyde Health Board to change the name of the new South Glasgow hospital.

"Considering the fundamental principle of monarchy is superiority of the monarch and their family over everyone else in society, we feel the naming of a public building after such a person is unacceptable."

The petition had last night attracted 2822 signatures.

Some supporters said the hospital should be named after a local person.

Sarah Findlay said: "Glasgow history is awash with examples of strong women who fought for health equality and social justice, and to name it after a woman who doesn't even use the NHS is absurd."

An NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde spokeswoman said: "It was an honour for our staff and patients to have the queen officially open three magnificent new health care facilities which will benefit not only the people of Glasgow but the people of Scotland.

"It is also a privilege to be given the honour of royal title for these magnificent new buildings."