Hospitals cancel all non-urgent surgeries and appointments

NHS Lanarkshire has postponed all non-urgent elective procedures and a range of outpatient appointments for the next month.

Most outpatient appointments have now been“stood down”for three weeks, and health board officials add that some community and primary care services, including some GP services, will also need to be paused as part of the pandemic response.

A number of clinically urgent and priority procedures will continue, along with emergency services, treatments for urgent cancer care and referrals, maternity and neonatal clinics.

Judith Park, NHS Lanarkshire’s director of acute services, said:“the hospitals are full and the numbers of Covid-19 admissions are increasing.

“To ensure that our services operate as safely as possible, we have taken the decision to cancel non-urgent outpatient appointments and planned procedures at all our acute sites.

“The safety of our patients is always our top priority.

“Winter is always a difficult time for the NHS; however, the current pandemic has had an additional impact on our services.

“Our staff are battling to save lives every day and I am immensely proud of them.

“Every single Lanarkshire resident can help save lives by following government guidance and staying at home.”

The changes will allow acute services to focus on Covid-19 inpatients and emergency care, with staff being redeployed from outpatient work to support urgent care.

Most patients will receive a text message confirming cancellation of their appointment; while a“small number” will still go ahead as scheduled.

NHS Lanarkshire added:“it is expected that some community and primary care services, including some GP practice services, will also need to be paused to cope with the number of Covid-19 patients – details will be shared once any changes are confirmed.”

Ms Park added:“the decision to cancel any appointment is not one that we take lightly and I apologise for the impact that this will have on patients.

“Appointments will be prioritised based on clinical need and those patients who are deemed clinically urgent will be rebooked.

“Patients will receive a letter, text message or voice message giving details of their new appointment.”

Lanarkshire residents are being reminded to follow the latest Scottish Government advice, including staying at home if they or someone they live with have symptoms which may be caused by Covid-19.

The latest health advice is available at NHS Inform’s coronavirus page, and a free helpline has been set up for those who do not have symptoms but are looking for general health advice.