SCOTS Tory leader Ruth Davidson has said she was "absolutely appalled" to receive an NHS leaflet containing an "ambulance-chasing" advert during a hospital visit.

The incident occurred when the MSP visited Edinburgh Royal Infirmary's accident and emergency department last week.

Ms Davidson told a radio show she was given a patient advice leaflet which carried an advert for a personal injury lawyer.

She said: "On the back page there is a full-page advertisement that reads, 'Have you been injured? You may be able to claim compensation. There is no shame in making an honest claim - ask about no-win, no-fee'. I was appalled by this. I can't believe that if you go to a hospital, they give you literature telling you how to sue."

Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, who was also on the show, said she "did not like the sound of it either" and would refer it to the health secretary. She said she was seeing the leaflet for the first time, and added: "On first glance, it looks a little bit odd."

Davidson was hurt when she fell getting out of a bath in an Edinburgh hotel room.

Earlier this year figures showed medical negligence payouts have cost the NHS in Scotland £223.3 million over the past six years.

Lyn McDonald, site director of the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, said: "We have a historical contract with a firm to provide our discharge leaflets at no cost, allowing us to spend the money saved on other aspects of patient care." She added that the hospital does: "not intend to have this type of arrangement in the future."

A Scottish Government spokesman said while it is an issue ultimately for NHS boards in Scotland, "clearly this kind of advertisement is not appropriate for a patient information leaflet".