A Scots health board has revealed three of its hospitals have run out of space as bosses rang the alarm bells and declared the highest level of risk.
People are being urged not to attend NHS Lanarkshire 's Accident and Emergency departments at University Hospitals Hairmyres, Monklands and Wishaw, unless their condition is life-threatening. All three hospitals are at maximum capacity, with patients waiting in A&E for beds.
The health board made the announcement on Wednesday and said it was “beyond critical occupancy levels across its three acute hospitals” because “relentless pressures, bed shortages and staff shortages due to annual leave, sickness absence and self-isolation”.
Heather Knox, NHS Lanarkshire’s chief executive, said that the “safety of our patients and staff is our top priority and we are working through short and medium term actions to increase staffing and also improve the flow of patients in and out of hospital”.
“The current situation puts us back to the highest level of risk for NHS Lanarkshire,” she said. “The impact of the current pressures is being felt right across the health and social care system, including GP practices which remain extremely busy.
“We recognise that our staff are doing everything they can and showing the highest levels of professionalism, commitment and resilience. We hope that the current actions being taken will help ease the pressures on our staff and services.
“Despite this escalated level of risk, we have decided at present to continue to maintain our current visiting arrangements. However, this will be kept under review.”
She added: “Our three A&Es remain extremely busy with long waiting times to be seen. Patients are also waiting in A&E for admission to beds.
“We strongly advise people that, if your condition isn’t life-threatening, please do not attend our A&Es, call NHS 24 on 111 to access the right care. Only go to A&E, or call 999, if it’s an emergency.
“We recognise that experiencing long waits can lead to people getting frustrated but we ask that people be patient and be kind and considerate to our staff at all times.
“We are working extremely hard in very difficult circumstances to do the very best we can for each and every one of our patients.”
The last time the board was put at the level was during the coronavirus pandemic in October 2021.
As cases came back under control the health board lowered the risk rating, from black to red, on May 4.
Ms Baillie, MSP for Dumbarton, said: “The people of Lanarkshire have had to cope with a health board that is constantly under immense pressure, whilst this SNP government fails to provide the help it needs.
“While NHS staff work tirelessly, Scotland’s missing in action Health Secretary is nowhere to be seen.
“Nothing short of a long-term plan to support Scotland’s health boards and reinforce hard-working staff will do.”
Despite the risk rating increase, the health board said it would continue to allow current visiting arrangements but warned that would be kept under review.
Ms Knox said: “The impact of the current pressures is being felt right across the health and social care system, including GP practices which remain extremely busy.
“We recognise that our staff are doing everything they can and showing the highest levels of professionalism, commitment and resilience.
“We hope that the current actions being taken will help ease the pressures on our staff and services.”
NHS Lanarkshire said a code black alert meant there was an immediate and tangible impact to the health service.
In May this year, when the alert was reduced a notch, the health board’s chief executive said it could be moved down because the “the picture is looking a little brighter”.
A Scottish Government spokesman said that the “NHS remains under pressure and is still facing its most difficult challenge ever in its 74-year history”.
“We know that the pandemic is not over and that Covid-19 and other pressures will continue to impact the NHS for some time,” the spokesman said.
“We recognise the significant additional pressure staff are facing both within NHS Lanarkshire and indeed across our health and care services, at this time.
“We will continue to do all we can to seek to alleviate those demand pressures and provide support for their wellbeing.”
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