Elective surgeries cancelled due to PEH capacity issues
Some elective surgeries are being cancelled, as a range of issues stretch the Princess Elizabeth Hospital beyond its capacity.
A total of 14 elective surgeries have been postponed this week, but all cancer or emergency surgeries will continue to be prioritised.
There may be further disruption to elective surgeries in the coming days until the capacity issues are resolved.
A Health & Social Care spokeswoman said there was no single issue impacting acute care.
‘It is a seasonal issue, with demand outstripping available capacity,’ she said.
‘The situation is being closely monitored and assessed by a critical incident team, with priority given to the continuation of elective cancer surgery and urgent emergency admissions.’
Additional temporary beds, called flex beds, are being used, but are only a short-term fix.
Further beds have been added to patient wards to ensure staff are focused on caring for the additional admissions.
Teams from both the hospital and community have worked to minimise the number of postponed elective surgeries and safe discharges from the hospital.
‘We have also increased capacity within the Day Patient Unit to ensure some surgeries can still take place and to utilise theatre capacity,’ the spokeswoman said.
‘HSC recognises it is always disappointing when elective surgery must be postponed and apologises for the impact this has on individuals and their families.’
Postponed elective cases will be rearranged as soon as possible. This may have an impact on some other patients, who currently have a date for surgery.
The MSG will be contacting patients.
HSC asked people with respiratory infection symptoms to stay away from the hospital and for visitors to practice good hand hygiene.
