A further two more hospitals in Scotland have been forced to declare the rare “code black” as they have reached capacity amid a surge in Covid cases, which comes days after Raigmore Hospital in Inverness also declared the alert.
Aberdeen Royal Infirmary and Dr Gray’s Hospital in Elgin have postponed non-urgent elective operations, after many staff went into isolation and high number of patients needing hospital treatment rose.
Dr Lewis Morrison, BMA Scotland chair warned that many more hospitals will end up declaring “code black” as they are facing “high levels” of pressure on healthcare.
Dr Morrison told the BBC, “Raigmore is an example of what might well happen in other places in the NHS in Scotland if we don’t take some action to deal with what is a very high level of pressure on healthcare, both in general practice and in hospitals, combined with rising Covid cases leading to a quite large number of staff having to self-isolate as contacts.”
NHS Grampian medical director Professor Nick Fluck said, “This is a dynamic situation, subject to change throughout each day.
“I can confirm that both Aberdeen Royal Infirmary and Dr Gray’s Hospital have been at black status in recent days.
“Choosing to cancel procedures or appointments is never a decision we take lightly; however it is our only option if we are to relieve some of the pressure and allow staff to concentrate on the most urgent and emergency care.
“I know it is distressing for people to have procedures or appointments postponed, sometimes at very short notice. I apologise to anyone who has been affected by this.
“We will work to reschedule these, but we cannot offer any guarantees at present about when this might happen.
“If you are accessing any healthcare services, please be aware delays are likely.”
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