GLASGOW hospital staff are being pushed to their limits with A&Es 'busier than ever' as one in 15 Scots are now infected with Covid.
The public are being warned not to visit A&E unless their situation is urgent or life-threatening as hospitals across NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde (NHSGGC) are reaching over 90% occupancy.
NHSGGC reported 457 in-patients with positive Covid status in the last 28 days, up from 277 on 21 June.
Now people are being urged to use NHS inform, NHS24 and their GPs and pharmacists to receive emergency care as A&E queues build up.
Dr Scott Davidson, Deputy Medical Director for Acute Services for NHSGGC, said: “Our staff are working around the clock to make sure we continue to see the sickest patients coming to our A&Es but we’re over capacity.
"Services, quite frankly, are busier than ever, creating a bottleneck at the front door, and as a result, patients unfortunately are having to wait long periods of time to be treated."
READ MORE: Major Tesco store in Glasgow closed as bosses make 'difficult decision'
Reasons for over capacity include people sicker with Covid who have perhaps put off visiting hospital when the pandemic was in worse spikes, as well as staff absences due to Covid.
Dr Davidson thanked NHS staff for their continued commitment to the front line.
He said: "I am truly humbled by the ongoing efforts of our staff – they’re working incredibly hard in the face of these challenges.
"From care provided in the community - HCSPs, GPs, and pharmacists - through to all the staff across hospital and acute sites – everyone is having to manage different and new demands."
People going to hospitals and NHS locations are also being made aware to remember Covid advice, such as wearing a face covering, regularly washing hands, opening windows when meeting indoors, and staying at home when feeling unwell.
Dr Davidson added: “It’s absolutely crucial for the public to help us now by really considering how they access urgent care. Do you need to come to A&E or could you be better served elsewhere?
"Use your pharmacy, phone your GP or call 111 to access NHSGGC’s virtual A&E.
"You might still face a wait to use these services, but for most people, you’ll be seen much faster than if you come to A&E.”
Any patient unsure of who to turn to has a range of options available to them:
Visit the NHS Inform website: https://www.nhsinform.scot/
Call NHS24 on 111
Visit the NHSGGC website: https://www.nhsggc.scot/your-health/right-care-right-place/
For very urgent or life-threatening emergencies, always call 999 or attend A&E.
Comments & Moderation
Readers’ comments: You are personally liable for the content of any comments you upload to this website, so please act responsibly. We do not pre-moderate or monitor readers’ comments appearing on our websites, but we do post-moderate in response to complaints we receive or otherwise when a potential problem comes to our attention. You can make a complaint by using the ‘report this post’ link . We may then apply our discretion under the user terms to amend or delete comments.
Post moderation is undertaken full-time 9am-6pm on weekdays, and on a part-time basis outwith those hours.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel