Covid: Surgery suspended at two health boards as patient numbers rise
- Published
Monklands Hospital in Airdrie is one of NHS Lanarkshire's three acute sites where surgery has been postponed
Two health boards are postponing all non-urgent surgical procedures as an increase in Covid cases puts growing pressure on the system.
NHS Lanarkshire is to focus its acute services on Covid inpatients and emergency care amid fears that virus patient numbers are set to double.
The same approach is being taken by NHS Ayrshire & Arran in all its acute hospitals.
Urgent cancer care will remain in place, as well as emergency services.
NHS Lanarkshire said its hospitals were already full and were expected to be put under even greater strain.
The move will take effect on Wednesday and will last for an initial period of four weeks.
A total of 288 patients with Covid are currently being treated in Lanarkshire hospitals, with 16 in ICU.
NHS Lanarkshire's director of acute services, Judith Park, said its hospitals "are full and the numbers of Covid-19 admissions are increasing".
She added: "As such, there are only 46 beds currently available to new patients.
"We currently have nearly 300 patients being treated for Covid-19 in our hospitals, with additional patients currently waiting on test results.
"However, we are anticipating this number to double within a week, putting our hospitals under severe pressure."
Patients with any concerns are being asked to contact the helpline number 0300 303 0446.
The NHS Ayrshire & Arran decision affects patients at hospitals including Crosshouse near Kilmarnock
NHS Ayrshire & Arran said some emergency and planned cancer surgeries may have to take place at different NHS sites.
The health board's medical director, Dr Crawford McGuffie, said: "This phase of the pandemic is having the greatest impact on our communities in terms of positive cases, numbers admitted to hospital and sadly deaths. This is placing great strain on every aspect of the system.
"Patients should be reassured that their safety is our number one priority and we are taking all necessary steps to ensure that any risk as a result of exposure to Covid-19 is minimised."
The announcements come after a "massive surge" of Covid cases in Dumfries and Galloway prompted the suspension of some surgery at the region's hospitals.
Health officials said on Friday they had made the "very difficult decision" to halt some elective operations.
