SO WHAT’S HAPPENING IN YOUR NHS BOARD AREA?

HIGHLAND: Elective orthopaedic surgery stopped early this month to create more beds for emergency patients.

GRAMPIAN: No blanket cancellation of elective procedures – but some have been postponed due to staff or bed shortages. LOTHIAN: Scheduling fewer routine procedures at present and temporarily closing some beds.

GREATER GLASGOW AND CLYDE: Some elective surgery cancelled to create more capacity for emergency patients and continue to treat urgent conditions including cancer. Temporarily banned all but essential visiting to older-style open-plan nightingale wards in Glasgow Royal Infirmary.

LANARKSHIRE: Most non-urgent elective procedures postponed ‘for the next couple of weeks’ to free staff and beds for urgent care after unprecedented pressures left staff struggling to cope.

BORDERS: All scheduled routine operations cancelled until next week (Sep 6) to ensure vital services can continue. Essential visiting only amid ‘immense pressure’ on all services. AYRSHIRE AND ARRAN: Significant pressure in University Hospitals Ayr and Crosshouse led to some elective surgery being paused until the end of this month.

FORTH VALLEY: Hospitals very busy, with outpatient clinics, diagnostic scans and planned operations continuing but under regular review in line with available capacity. WESTERN ISLES: Contingency beds have been opened for extended periods in the Western Isles Hospital, Stornoway, after high numbers of general (not Covid) admissions. Restricted visiting imposed to help maintain physical distancing with inpatients allowed two indoor visits a week. Patients who need unrestricted essential visits can have them. TAYSIDE: Elective surgery being carried out despite a small rise in Covid-19 admissions to hospitals.

FIFE: Main acute hospital very busy but elective programme continues.

SHETLAND: No problems reported.

ORKNEY: No problems reported.

DUMFRIES AND GALLOWAY: No response.