Surgeries cancelled due to pressure

Further planned surgeries have been cancelled as a health board's three acute hospitals experience unprecedented levels of pressure.

NHS Lanarkshire said that increased Covid-19 cases, staff shortages due to annual leave or staff having to selfisolate as a result of contacts outside of work, were causing the pressure, along with trying to maintain and recover services - including planned operations.

The health board said that as of yesterday there are 81 Covid-19 cases across its three acute sites, University Hospital Hairmyres, Monklands and Wishaw, with seven people in intensive care.

On Monday 643 patients attended accident and emergency departments across the three hospitals.

NHS Lanarkshire director of acute services, Judith Park, said: "The sustained pressure we are seeing across our three acute hospitals is showing no signs of easing. In fact, the pressures on our hospitals are as severe as at any time in the whole pandemic.

"We continue to see exceptionally high numbers of people attend A&E, including many who attend for conditions that would be best treated elsewhere.

"For example, those with sunburn or heatwave-related conditions can access NHS Inform website for advice, or call NHS 24 on 111.

"Covid numbers in our hospitals are rising and this is an additional pressure while we are trying to recover services and treat patients who have planned operations.”