System Pressures at NHS Orkney
NHS Orkney continues to face unprecedented pressures on its inpatient services.
To ensure we can provide inpatient care, we have made the decision to postpone all day case procedures up until the end of the day on Thursday (1 June). Postponing these procedures frees up additional bed capacity, which can then be utilised for further admissions to The Balfour.
In addition to the system wide challenges faced, we have identified a Covid outbreak within the In Patients 2 ward (IP2). IP2 will now be restricted to essential visiting only, this does not affect visiting for palliative or end of life care. We have also implemented additional measures including enhanced cleaning.
We are asking all visitors to please ensure they follow guidance from ward staff throughout their visit, especially when in patient rooms. As always, we would ask that visitors do not attend if they are unwell or experiencing any symptoms of infection, such as, flu like symptoms, a cough, or diarrhoea.
Sam Thomas, Director of Nursing, Midwifery, AHP’s and Acute Services said: “We have had to make the difficult decision to postpone day case procedures until the end of the day on Thursday. We do not make these decisions lightly but in order to ensure we can provide inpatient and emergency care to those who attend The Balfour, we have postponed procedures. I am aware that any news of postponed procedures can be upsetting and disappointing and wish to apologise for the inconvenience this has caused. We will be looking to reschedule your procedures as soon as we can. We are currently working our way through our patient list and will be in touch with you if this affects your appointment. In the meantime, I’d like to thank you all for your understanding as we work together to navigate the pressures we currently face.”
The message to the community remains the same, if you have a health concern that does not require urgent treatment but cannot wait until your GP or Pharmacy reopens, we would ask that you make use of NHS 24 by calling 111, using the NHS24 app or the NHS Inform website (https://www.nhsinform.scot/). This will help you decide which is the best service for you to access.
If you are acutely unwell, please call 999 or attend the Emergency Department (ED) - please do not stay away from the ED in these cases. If you attend our ED but do not require urgent care, you will be redirected to a more appropriate service for your need or may face a longer wait.