The Press and Journal (Inverness, Highlands, and Islands)
NHS crisis grows as third wave hits Dr Gray’ s and ARI
More patients forced to wait for ops as staffing woes escalate
MORE patients are having procedures cancelled as another two of the region’s biggest hospitals are forced into emergency “code black” measures.
NHS Grampian revealed yesterday that it was joining NHS Highland in issuing “stay away” pleas after hitting full capacity.
More than 3,800 new coronavirus infections were reported across Scotland yesterday – up 1,400 on Tuesday – with almost 400 people now in hospital.
The new surge has combined with staff shortages caused by self-isolation and summer holidays to push health facilities to the brink.
Board medical director Nick Fluck said axing ops at Dr Gray’s in Elgin and Aberdeen Royal Infirmary was “the only option if we are to relieve some of the pressure and allow staff to concentrate on the most urgent and emergency care.
“I apologise to anyone who has been affected by this.”
GPs and community hospitals were also operating at full stretch, NHS bosses warned.
NHS Grampian’s medical director has made a “personal plea” for help, revealing the two north-east’s flagship hospitals have been “at capacity” for days amid a third wave of Covid cases.
Aberdeen Royal Infirmary and Dr Gray’s in Elgin have both entered “code black status” with pressure mounting on health services.
Yesterday 3,800 new coronavirus infections and five deaths were announced for the whole of Scotland, with almost 400 people in hospital across the country with the virus.
This was an increase of 41 in just 24 hours.
NHS Grampian is now being forced to cancel procedures and appointments to free up staff working on urgent and emergency care.
The board has also been hit with a growing number of staff required to self-isolate, as well as many on annual leave over the school holidays.
Yesterday NHS Highland said it had stood up its own “internal incident command”, with Raigmore Hospital also on code black due to Covid pressures.
Medical director Nick Fluck said: “This is a very dynamic situation, which is subject to change throughout each day.
“I can confirm that both Aberdeen Royal Infirmary and Dr Gray’s Hospital have been at black status in recent days.
“Choosing to cancel procedures or appointments is never a decision we take lightly, however, it is our only option if we are to relieve some of the pressure and allow staff to concentrate on the most urgent and emergency care.
“I know it is distressing for people to have their procedures or appointments postponed.
“I apologise to anyone who has been affected by this.”
Chief executive Caroline Hiscox has urged the public to continue following Covid-19 rules.
She said: “While we have not moved into full civil contingency mode, as we did at the start of the pandemic, we have ‘stood up’ certain measures to allow us to closely monitor activity right across the region.
“This allows us to quickly identify particular stress points and take action to relieve them.
“I cannot thank our staff enough for the work they are undertaking, especially in light of the very difficult experience of the last 16 months.”
June Brown, the executive nurse director for NHS Grampian, warned the impact of the third wave of Covid is being felt at every level.
“Our GP colleagues and those working in community hospitals are also working at capacity,” she said.
“Our close working relationship with the three local Health & Social Care Partnerships has enabled us to support each other and take the right decisions for healthcare as a whole in Grampian.”
Prof Hiscox said: “I know people desperately want a return to normal and to have all their healthcare needs met, not just those related to Covid-19. I want that too.
“We have such support from people in the north-east since the pandemic began and we are asking for it again.
“Please keep following Facts – wear a face mask, avoid crowded spaces, clean your hands regularly, stay two metres distance from others, self-isolate if you develop symptoms, and book a test to help us limit the impact that Covid can have.”
Sturgeon says it’s time for care and caution, Page 15