Surgeries scrapped amid Covid strain
Hospitals across Ayrshire and Arran have postponed elective surgery in response to the rising number of Covid admissions.
NHS bosses said the “great strain”placed on their system had forced the decision.
It comes after the region breached its bed capacity for Covid patients.
The health board confirmed“out breaks of Covid-19 in the lower risk areas among patients and staff”which at times led to “wards closing to new admissions which means additional beds cannot be used for a short period of time”.
And they have moved to relieve pressure on the system by postponing non-emergency surgery at their acute sites.
Planned cancer surgeries will“where possible” continue to take place.
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.
“To ensure that we are able to provide care to the most urgent cases, emergency surgery will still go ahead, and where possible, planned cancer surgeries will also take place.
“Our clinical staff will liaise closely with patients who are impacted and we very much appreciate the understanding of members of the public in these challenging times.”
Senior clinicians will assess emergency and planned cancer surgeries on a“case-by-case basis,” the health board said.
Some procedures may go ahead in a different location to previously planned.
Dr McGuffie added: “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.
“I would like to thank the public for their continued support at this time.”
Ayr MSP John Scott admitted the move did not come as a surprise amid the current circumstances.
He said:“The rising number of Covid cases locally over the last few days has filled available bed capacity, so while it’s very disappointing and worrying that nonemergency procedures are now being delayed, it has also been inevitable.
“Now the SNP Government must urgently ensure that our hospitals get all the extra resource they need because we can’t allow even more patients to miss out on planned operations and procedures, wherever they can possibly be carried out.”