Elective surgeries back on the table
Level of staff testing positive remains at a quarter
FRASER WILSON
A small number of clinically urgent operations will resume at Hairmyres Hospital in the coming weeks.
NHS Lanarkshire announced a number of elective operations would be available again.
That means patients requiring ophthalmology, vascular and colorectal surgery will be able to get procedures delayed because of the coronavirus outbreak.
The health board’s director of acute services said the move was “in line” with other UK hospitals and reiterated that the NHS was “still open”.
Heather Knox told the News: “We’ve introduced new infection control measures to keep patients as safe as possible before surgery, while they are in hospital, and after their operation.
“We have also introduced new pathways through the hospital and designated areas for special care for our patients.
“I would like to reassure everyone, that although the way we are delivering services have changed, your NHS is still open.”
Patients will be swabbed for COVID-19 during pre-assessment appointments and are required to shield for 14 days prior to their operation.
They will then be re-swabbed at day 12 of their shielding at a drive through appointment at Hairmyres, or at a patient’s doorstep.
Cameron Sharkey, service manager for surgical and critical care, reassured patients the health board was “taking all necessary steps” to ensure surgeries would be as “safe as possible”.
He added: “Safety of our patients is our number one priority and we will ensure any risk to patients as a result of exposure to COVID-19 is minimised.
“Prior to being given an appointment at the clinic, patients will receive a call from their surgeon so they can make an informed decision as to whether they wish to proceed.
“The clinics will run as a ‘one-stop’ model at which patients will receive all necessary assessment, diagnostic and therapeutic interventions. This single visit will limit potential exposure to COVID-19.
“At these clinics, a limited number of patients will be seen during each session.
“This is to maintain social distancing measures and to reflect the current capacity to carry out surgery.”
Meanwhile, the proportion of NHS Lanarkshire staff testing positive for COVID-19 remains at around one quarter.
Official figures from the health board showed 626 of the near 2500 (2495) medical staff tested had the disease.
The figures were accurate as of May 15 and means three-quarters of staff have tested not positive for coronavirus.
And it is estimated the testing had “saved” 10,949 work days by ensuring staff did not self-isolate unnecessarily.
However, the figures reiterated the true price being paid by hundreds of frontline health workers in the fight against COVID-19.