EXCLUSIVE: Lanarkshire mum worried child's health at risk due to suspension of hospital appointments

A mum in Lanarkshire says she's worried her child's health is at risk because of hospital appointments being suspended.

Her 3-year-old son has a growth on his arm which she discovered over six weeks ago - but she still can't get an appointment with the dermatology department due to the suspension of non-urgent clinics and procedures in NHS Lanarkshire.

She's been told the NHS Louisa Jordan in Glasgow is holding all dermatology clinics - but only over 16s are allowed to be seen.

She said: "It upsets me that because he's only three he can't be seen at the moment because of basically logistical reasons.

"Obviously I'm hoping this growth in his arm isn't anything serious, but why should he not be seen the same as someone over 16 would be seen."

The mum's been told by a GP that some departments are hiding behind coronavirus.

She said: "I just don't think it's right that at the moment children maybe aren't being seen as quickly simply because they can't go to a specific hospital.

"I don't think it's fair - obviously we've had a pandemic and hospitals have been under strain but it can't be a situation that people are losing out or are not being seen for other conditions because of that."

The health board suspended all non-urgent elective procedures in January due to an expectation Covid cases in hospitals would double.

The initial period of suspension was due to last four weeks - but an update this month says that suspension is due to last until next month.

In January at time of suspension, the number of patients being treated in Lanarkshire hospitals with Covid-19 was 288, with 16 in ICU.

As of Tuesday 16th March 2021, 20 patients were in ICU in Lanarkshire hospitals - 4 of which are Covid patients.

The number of Covid patients in Lanarkshire hospitals on Tuesday 16th March was also 56, with 7 suspected cases on top of that.

Claire Fenwick, service manager for medicine University Hospital Monklands, said:

"The impact of the pandemic has been significant for NHS Lanarkshire in the delivery of dermatology appointments due to the volume of patients within the service.

"Under-16 appointments have continued throughout the pandemic for those with the greatest clinical need in line with the restrictions imposed around social distancing and the re-design required to minimize the risk of Covid transmission.

"Whilst we have used Louisa Jordan for some adult dermatology patient appointments, appointments for children have been held at University Hospital Monklands for those patients who require it in line with urgent clinical need.

"From April, this will be expanded so that children will also be reviewed at University Hospital Hairmyres and then University Hospital Wishaw later in the month."

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