System pressures across NHS Orkney

NHS Orkney has been experiencing increased pressures across the entire health care system and these pressures continue this week.

We are seeing more people admitted with acute presentations and those with respiratory illnesses.

In line with national trends, we have started to see a spike in respiratory and flu cases across the county and would urge everyone to please stay at home, if possible, when experiencing these symptoms (coughs, fevers, runny or blocked nose etc). A few simple steps really will make all the difference in preventing the spread of infection:

• Coughing and sneezing into a tissue then disposing of the tissue immediately
• Regular hand washing with soap and water especially after disposing of tissues as used above
• If possible, opening windows and ensuring there is good ventilation (when it’s not too cold to do so)

If you are visiting loved ones in hospital, please be aware you will be asked to wear a mask when visiting. Masks are available outside the entrance to the wards. This is to protect everyone particularly those most vulnerable in the community. If you are visiting more than one patient during your visit, please check in with a nurse prior to seeing the next patient. You may also be asked to wear a mask in other healthcare settings.

In addition, if you are admitted to hospital you may see staff wearing masks, again this is to protect you and our staff. If you are attending The Balfour for an outpatient appointment in any department and you would prefer to wear a mask yourself, please ask a member of staff who will provide you with a mask.

At the moment we are trying to refrain from postponing any procedures however if the increase in demand across our services continue we may need to take steps to postpone certain inpatient procedures.

The Emergency Department also remains busy at this time, we’d like to remind everyone to only attend the Emergency Department when it’s necessary to do so. If you attend the department but do not require urgent care you will face a longer wait or be redirected to a more appropriate service for your need. If you are acutely unwell or require urgent medical attention please continue to call 999.

We continue to ask for your support to help us get your loved ones home in good time after a stay in hospital. Hospital discharges should take place by lunchtime to allow us capacity to admit others and not lead to delays in emergency care. We understand family members may have other commitments, but we hope by working together with the community we can aim to discharge at lunchtime, especially in these winter months. In addition to this we are working hard to ensure any patients who are in Aberdeen Royal Infirmary (ARI) and are due to return to The Balfour do so as quickly as possible however this continues to be a challenge as we work together as a system to ensure everyone is receiving the right care in the right place at the right time. 

If you need medical advice, NHS Inform has a wealth of guidance for dealing with respiratory and flu symptoms, as well as other minor ailments, see more here, https://www.nhsinform.scot/symptoms-and-self-help/.

If you are eligible for either the Flu or Covid-19 vaccination, please do take up the offer of vaccination. You can call the vaccination team on 0300 303 5313 to make an appointment.

Dr Louise Wilson, Director of Public Health at NHS Orkney said “Our message remains clear, please stay at home if you are unwell with cold or flu like symptoms. Do not visit vulnerable friends or family until you are feeling better and your symptoms have gone. We are seeing an increase of patients who require acute admission to The Balfour and we must ensure those most vulnerable are kept safe. I’d like to say a huge thank you to all staff working across health and social care as we navigate this period of increased pressures. Finally, in these wintry conditions, please continue to take care when out and about.”