A huge number of Edinburgh surgeries have been cancelled, with more to be postponed in the coming days following a sterilisation 'leak' at the Royal Infirmary.
NHS Lothian have announced many planned and non-emergency operations will be forced to wait after the incident at their Hospital Sterlisisation and Decontamination Unit (HDSU). Located at the RIE in Little France, the unit suffered a water leak and damp on Friday from a burst drainage pipe, meaning the unit was instantly closed.
With the facility usually cleaning surgical instruments and preparing them for operations across the entire NHS Lothian board, officials have now said surgery delays will continue in the coming days. With routine elective procedures being considered on a day-by-day basis, only those who are most urgent will be prioritised.
READ MORE - Edinburgh bin strikes to continue next week after unions reject latest pay offer
Tracy Gillies, NHS Lothian medical director said “We are sincerely sorry to all patients who have been or who will be affected by this problem. The decision to postpone any operation is never easy as we know how disappointing and stressful that can be.
"Unfortunately it is essential in order to ensure sufficient clean surgical supplies are available for emergency operations. Patients will be contacted by their clinical teams if their procedure is to be postponed, and they will be notified as soon as possible of rescheduled dates for their surgery.”
In response to the Edinburgh closure, NHS Lothian has been offered help from both NHS Lanarkshire and NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, who have been sending sterilised supplies and instrument trays in order to allow emergency surgery to go ahead.
NHS Lothian chief executive Calum Campbell said: “We are very grateful to NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, NHS Lanarkshire and the other Boards who have all offered support. My thanks also go to out HDSU staff who are travelling back and forth to Glasgow to work at NHS GGC’s HDSU to help maintain our supply of clean surgical trays."
The water leak, which came from a drainage pope, resulted in small puddles of water forming on the floor and damp areas where the wall meets the floor. A full assessment is still underway however it is thought that work to fix the leak source, rectify the damage, test and reopen the facility will take a minimum of to to four weeks to complete.
READ NEXT:
- Edinburgh bin strike pictures show rubbish reaching six feet tall in week two
Edinburgh ice cream kiosk forced to close as bin strikes 'drive away customers'
Edinburgh bin strike negotiation advice to council leader set to be scrutinised
Edinburgh couple who turned garden into vegetable patch told to return land
Victims of sex pest former Edinburgh councillor feel 'badly let down'
