Pressure on hospital continues as more operations are cancelled

NHS SHETLAND has confirmed that it has again cancelled a number of non-urgent surgical procedures in response to high demand on services at both the Gilbert Bain Hospital as well as on community services.

Emergency surgery and urgent cancer treatment will continue as planned.

Outpatient clinics and other hospital departments remain open, but some may need to adjust their opening hours to support areas under increased pressure, the health board said.

Theatre lists will be reviewed throughout the week, and any patients affected will be contacted directly.

Director of nursing and acute services Kathleen Carolan said the hospital was operating at full capacity.

The pressure on services has been ongoing since the start of the winter with a significant number of frail/elderly people at hospital and lots of people admitted with serious acute illnesses.

Increased respiratory illnesses in the community have further aggravated the situation.

Professor Carolan said: “We understand how disruptive it is when procedures are postponed, and we only make these decisions when absolutely necessary.

“Patient and staff safety remains our top priority, and we thank everyone for their continued patience and understanding.

“Over recent weeks, our hospital and community services have been under significant pressure. We are doing everything possible to manage the current demand, including bringing in additional agency staff to support us.”

The health board said anyone with cold or flu-like symptoms should delay visiting the hospital until they are fully recovered.

Likewise, those who have experienced vomiting or diarrhoea should wait at least 48 hours after symptoms have passed before visiting to help protect patients and staff.