Doctor fears COVID-19 hospital capacity could run out in Ayrshire
"I wouldn't like to say at the moment that we'll be absolutely fine."
A doctor is warning it will be "too close to call" whether or not NHS Ayrshire and Arran will have enough space for COVID-19 patients over the next few weeks.
It comes after the First Minister revealed the health board was already at 96% of its capacity for coronavirus care.
As case numbers continue to rise rapidly as a result of the new variant, an A&E consultant at Crosshouse Hospital is raising concerns about how they'll cope.
Dr David Chung says, "We haven't got much more room. We know that in 7-10 days time, it is very likely we'll be needing to find beds for 250 people a day in Scotland. So it means we're going to need more capacity and we've not got much to spare.
"I wouldn't like to say at the moment that we'll be absolutely fine. I'm going to say that it will be too close to call and we'll only know on the other side of it.
"We might have beds that are physically available but we haven't got staff for them. At the moment, there are a lot of staff who have had to self isolate or, even worse, have contracted COVID themselves. I think that's going to be as much as a problem, if not more so, in the next couple of weeks.
"Staff are working hard but they're very tired and very concerned. It's a bit like asking us to run a marathon but at sprint pace. It's difficult.
"One thing that helps us though is if we know people in the public are doing they're part and they're supporting us."
Contingency plans are in place such as cancelling some elective operations and repurposing other areas within hospitals.
Dr Crawford McGuffie, Medical Director, says "NHS Ayrshire & Arran has prepared extensively to deal with COVID-19 and continues to work to ensure we have the right resources, equipment and staffing in place.
"We have experienced an increase in COVID-19 admissions and, in line with other Health Boards across Scotland, have increased our capacity to support rising demand.
"This expanded COVID capacity is currently stretched, due to a combination of symptomatic patients who are either COVID-19 positive or awaiting swab results; necessary infection prevention and control measures; and staff absence.
"The situation is constantly monitored and the Board links closely with Health Protection Scotland, the Scottish Government and the Chief Medical Officer.
"We would like to remind people of the symptoms of Coronavirus (COVID-19): new persistent cough; high temperature; and / or loss of taste and smell. Anyone who develops any of these symptoms should book a test and self-isolate immediately."
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