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UPDATED: Operations resume at “under pressure” hospital following beds shortage

By Sam Brooksbank

St James Hospital. Image: Stanley Walker

Operations have resumed at “under pressure” St James’ Hospital this morning – after they had been suspended on Tuesday due to a lack of beds.

It is the second time this year that Leeds Teaching Hospitals have had to cancel operations due to a lack of beds. The trust has apologised to patients and is reviewing the situation daily.

A spokesperson from Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS trust said: “Planned surgery is resuming at St James’s University Hospital today and will also be continuing at Leeds General Infirmary and Wharfedale Hospital, but our services remain under pressure and we are monitoring the situation on a very regular basis.

“We continue to see high numbers of patients needing admission to a hospital bed, and it is important we accommodate them as well as ensure we can undertake urgent and emergency surgery, which remains our priority.

“High demand for beds is combined with difficulties in discharging patients to more appropriate care settings for those who are medically fit to leave hospital.

“We are sorry to those patients who have been inconvenienced and can assure them that our staff are working extremely hard to keep delays to a minimum.

“Our two A&E departments are experiencing very high levels of attendances, including many patients whose care could be dealt with better elsewhere.”

People who do not need urgent hospital treatment are being asked to use alternative services such as their GPs surgery, NHS111, minor injury units or their community pharmacy.

 

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