HOSPITALS in Lanarkshire are cancelling operations as Covid cases rise with the health board warning of the local health system reaching breaking point. 

Large numbers of staff are currently absent, due to the dual pressures of annual leave during the summer holiday period and workers having to self isolating due to close contacts with people who have tested positive for coronavirus

A "small number" of planned surgeries have been cancelled in the last three weeks, confirmed NHS Lanarkshire director of acute services Judith Park. 

As of today, there are 81 Covid-19 cases across the health board, with seven people in intensive care, while 643 patients were in accident and emergency wards across the areas three hospitals yesterday.

Ms Park added: "The sustained pressure we are seeing across our three acute hospitals is showing no signs of easing. In fact, the pressures on our hospitals are as severe as at any time in the whole pandemic.

“Pressures on our staff is also a concern and they are struggling to cope.

"The increase in Covid cases is having an impact on staffing levels, with health staff having to self-isolate due to contacts outside of work. We have some staff isolating with Covid as well as those on annual leave.

“All our staff continue to work extremely hard to ensure that patients are seen and treated as quickly as possible. The majority of the public continue to be very supportive of staff. Sadly, however, we are seeing a minority of people engaging in behaviours and attitudes that are completely unacceptable.

“Any form of violent or aggressive behaviour towards our staff, be it verbal or physical, will not be tolerated. We’d plea to people to keep bearing with us and please be kind to our staff and colleagues who are committed to caring, no matter the circumstances.”

She said that many people with sunburn and "heatwave related conditions" were unnecessarily taking up space in emergency wards and urged people to consider if they need to be treated in hospital.