System Pressures Due to Covid Remain Across NHS Highland

24th March 2022

There continues to be high levels of COVID-19 across the Highlands and Argyll and Bute and we are therefore continuing to experience significant system pressures across the Board area.

There are also extremely high numbers of inpatients with COVD-19 being cared for in our hospitals and there are a number of outbreaks within some of our hospitals and across care home settings.

Katherine Sutton, Chief Officer for Acute Services, said:"COVID-19 cases across NHS Highland, and indeed across the whole of Scotland, remain at an extremely high level and is impacting on clinical services across our Board area.

“High levels of COVID-19 are also affecting our staff and absences in our hospital, community and care services are causing us major challenges in delivering our services. Some non-emergency services unfortunately have been reduced and I am sorry that waiting times for elective treatments have been affected. We continue to prioritise our waiting lists to those clinically assessed to be most in need and would like to apologise to those patients who are waiting longer than we would wish for their treatment or operation.

“Our hospitals remain busy and are being affected by outbreaks of infection which can affect where patients are placed and can impact on visitors. We recognise how important the support of family and friends can be and will continue to promote patient-centred visiting. There are however a small number of areas in our hospitals where enhanced infection prevention measures require implementation of essential visiting only and relatives will be informed of this policy by nursing staff locally.

“We would ask all visitors to take an LFD test before coming into any of our hospitals and only visit if the test is negative. People who have symptoms, have tested positive or are isolating should not visit our hospitals. All visitors are asked to wear face coverings, wash their hands and follow social distancing guidelines.

“Our Emergency Departments also remain much busier than usual and some patients are experiencing longer waits for treatment. We are asking members of the public to help us in ensuring that they are accessing the right service at the right time. Anyone with a non-life-threatening condition who is considering attending A&E can call NHS 24 on 111, day or night, and they will be directed to the right NHS service for their needs. If you are concerned it is an emergency however, then please don't hesitate, call 999 or go straight to A&E."

“We would like to thank everyone across the Highlands and Argyll and Bute for all they are doing to keep their communities safe and we would urge them to keep their guard up and to continue to follow the guidance about distancing, hand washing, and wearing a face covering.

“I would also like to pay tribute to our staff, both within our hospitals and in the community, who are once again responding heroically to this further challenge from COVID-19. I am immensely proud of the amazing work my colleagues are doing every day to keep our services running so that we can continue to provide the high quality health and care services for people who need our help.”