Operation cancellation pressures 'ease' at Raigmore Hospital in Inverness, says NHS Highland
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A BEDS crisis that forced the cancellation of some operations at Raigmore Hospital has "eased" but "sustained challenges" remain, NHS Highland has said.
It was speaking after it revealed that 15 planned operations had been cancelled at the hospital between Tuesday and Thursday. Around 50 such surgical procedures are carried out each day.
The cancellations were caused after a "significant" rise in the number of trauma cases admitted to the hospital, and not enough existing patients being able to be discharged to free up capacity. This delay to discharges was caused in part by outbreaks of Covid-19 and scabies, with the virus shutting down three wards at Raigmore, and scabies affecting a "very small number" of patients in one of the same wards.
Related: Urgent answers sought by Highland politicians over Raigmore Hospital operation cancellations
Speaking to The Inverness Courier late yesterday, NHS Highland said that despite the challenges, pressures were beginning to ease.
A spokesman said: "Pressures have eased overnight and we are currently reviewing discharges.
"However, a number of factors are contributing to sustained challenges at this time including some wards closed to admissions (to allow safe management of covid) and an increase in numbers of trauma cases."
They also praised the efforts of staff to deal with the situation, adding: "Our operational planning and the extra efforts of our staff in all our hospitals and community services have ensured that we have been able to respond to these pressures."
