Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Daily Record
Daily Record
National
Tracy Carmichael

Hospitals continue to struggle against rising covid pressures

Paisley's Royal Alexandra Hospital is struggling as covid cases rise in Renfrewshire.

Bosses at the Corsebar Road hospital reported more than 95 per cent occupancy on Thursday,

NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde say they were currently housing 107 patients who have Coronavirus.

It comes amid warnings from experts as levels of covid in the community reach new heights.

Don't miss the latest headlines from around Renfrewshire. Sign up to our newsletters here.

We told this week how 666 cases had been confirmed in Renfrewshire in the week until July 9 - seven day positivity rate of 371.3 per 100,000 population.

The Office for National Statistics says one in 16 people in Scotland currently has covid.

Rising levels of the virus - fuelled by the BA.5 sub-variant - have sparked fresh pressures on struggling NHS services.

A spokesman for NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde said: "There are currently 107 patients with COVID-19 at the Royal Alexandra Hospital in Paisley. With an increase in community transmission, Covid-19 is still very much with us.

"Our hospitals are near capacity, with the RAH having over 95 per cent occupancy on the morning of July 14.

"Large numbers of patients are being admitted to hospital – either as direct result of the virus, or admitted for another illness but having tested positive with no symptoms.

"This is putting significant pressure on capacity and available bed numbers and is having a significant impact on our A&E Departments and assessment units. Covid-19 is has also created staffing challenges, with some colleagues absent as a result of the virus."

They have reported "long waits" and increased pressure on acute hospital site for weeks.

The RAH is among hospitals under pressure due to spike in virus cases (Copyright Unknown)

The spokesman added: "The rise in Covod-19 patient numbers and staffing challenges is further compounded by the difficulties we face due to patients with a delayed discharge, which we are working hard to resolve.

"A significant recruitment campaign is also ongoing, across our sites, and a large number of new nurses are set to join NHSGGC in coming months. We also continue to grow our Flow Navigation Centre, which acts as a virtual A&E and recently surpassed the 25,000 patient milestone.

"We are sorry if anyone experiences in a delay in being treated and we are reminding the public not to come to A&E unless suffering from a very urgent or life-threatening condition.

"Everyone else who thinks they need urgent medical attention should speak to their GP first, or, call NHS24 on 111. We are asking all visitors to follow guidance around slowing the spread of the virus by wearing a face covering in healthcare settings and not visiting loved ones if you feel unwell."

Data from the National Records of Scotland shows 83 deaths were registered where covid was mentioned on the death certificate in the week from July 3 to 10 -, an increase of 22 deaths from the previous week.

The majority, some 52, of the deaths were amongst those aged 75 or over, with a further 20 in the 65 to 74 age range.

Figures show the majority -. 46 - were female and 37 were male.

Leading Scottish Immunologist, Professor Denis Kinane has urged caution among vulnerable groups, saying: "Despite our success in mitigating the impact of covid through the vaccine programme, it is clear that the virus is here to stay. There are a number of worrying trends however in the rising number of infections, particularly when compared with the levels from a year ago.

"Last July one in 90 people in Scotland had covid, compared to one in 16 today. That is already leading to a gradual rise in hospitalisations.

"What is more concerning is if the pattern from previous years is repeated where there is a surge in infections in the Autumn. Despite what many think, covid is still a dangerous and highly infectious disease. For these reasons, I believe we have to continue to be cautious, especially for those who are in a vulnerable group or immunosuppressed."

Professor Kinane, a Founding Scientist of Cignpost Diagnostics, added: "No one wants to return to full lockdowns but taking reasonable precautions - using face masks in enclosed spaces, getting tested if you are in regular contact with the vulnerable, keeping a close eye on new variants - are all sensible and proportionate steps."

Download the FREE Renfrewshire Live app now for all the latest news, features and sport in your area. Available on both Android and Apple. Download here: smarturl.it/RenfrewLiveSocial

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.