Several surgeries cancelled at Lanarkshire hospital amid high patient numbers
It follows an increase in the number of people visiting A&E at the hospital and the number of people being admitted with Covid-19.
Last updated 8th Jul 2021
Several planned surgeries at University Hospital Wishaw have been cancelled due to a spike in patient numbers.
It follows an increase in the number of people visiting A&E at the hospital and the number of people being admitted with Covid-19.
Staff struggling to cope
A&E consultant Calvin Lightbody said in a video posted on the healthboard's social media pages there were 220 A&E patients on Monday - and nearly 700 A&E patients across the three Lanarkshire hospitals.
A&E patient numbers higher than during winter
He said: "We're seeing a number of critically ill and seriously ill patients - but we're also seeing a number of conditions which could be best seen elsewhere.
"Things like longstanding back pain, sore feet, minor rashes, insect bites - things that really dont need to be in an A&E department."
Heather Knox, NHS Lanarkshire chief executive, said: "We have seen unprecedented levels of people attending our emergency departments.
"Over recent weeks, we have seen higher numbers than we would normally see during the winter period and our staff are struggling to cope. We would encourage people to seek advice from NHS inform or NHS 24 on 111 before they attend A&E.
Nearly 700 A&E patients across all three Lanarkshire hospitals on Monday
"We have also seen an increase in the number of people admitted to hospital with COVID-19 and this is an additional pressure while we are trying to recover services and treat those patients who need our care; people who have planned operations which we are desperate to do.
"We also have staffing pressures as we currently have staff who are having to self-isolating due to contacts out of work.
"These combined pressures mean that we have had to take some difficult decisions.
"Unfortunately, we have had to cancel a number of planned surgeries at University Hospital Wishaw for the rest of this week.
"These surgeries are in general surgery, day surgery and endoscopy and we are contacting the people who will be affected.
"This is not a decision we take lightly and I would like to apologise for any upset caused."
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