Intensive care unit concerns

NHS Forth Valley is the only Scottish health board forecasting pressure on its Intensive Care Unit as Very High.

The Covid-19 strategic framework used to allocate Scotland’s levels cited“continued evidence of projected pressure on NHS Forth Valley ICU capacity.”

This week Stirling was highlighted by the first minister Nicola Sturgeon as giving cause for concern following a 79 per cent increase in positive cases in the space of a week.

The Scottish Government paper said the situation in Stirling“should remain under close scrutiny.”stirling remains in level three alongside Falkirk and Clackmannanshire.

And as cases rise this is having a knock-on effect on the health board. As part of the strategic framework used for the allocation of levels, health boards are asked to forecast pressure on ICU as either Very Low, Low, Moderate, High or Very High.

Clackmannanshire, Falkirk and Stirling - which all sit within NHS Forth Valley - were the only areas in the country to be ranked as Very High for ICU on the Scottish Government paper.

A spokesperson for NHS Forth Valley said:“we are seeing an increase in the number of patients admitted who have tested positive for Covid-19. Some of require to be treated in ICU and we are also caring for a number of patients who require intensive care for other serious health conditions.

“While our ICU is currently very busy we do have the ability to increase the number of intensive care beds, if required, and our capacity is closely monitored on a daily basis.

“NHS Forth Valley is part of the West of Scotland Critical Network. Hospitals may occasionally admit patients from other areas when they have capacity and can also transfer patients to other specialist facilities during periods of high demand.”