A NATIONWIDE increase in patients being admitted to hospital over the festive period is also now affecting Dumfries and Galloway.
The newly-opened Dumfries and Galloway Royal Infirmary has moved onto ‘Red Status’ as it handles a very high level of admissions – due in part to a high number of GP referrals and numbers of patients being treated in the emergency department.
NHS Dumfries and Galloway Medical Director Ken Donaldson said: “We have extremely high levels of emergency department referrals and GP referrals.
“There are a lot of respiratory issues, with many cases of flu.
“We’re now at a point where the hospital has been moved onto ‘Red Status’, and some outpatient clinics are being suspended as we move to meet this increase in the most effective way possible and the resulting demand for beds.
“We’ve notified partner organisations such as the Scottish Ambulance Service, but obviously this is a countrywide situation.”
Mr Donaldson added: “As ever, we would ask members of the public to give thought to how they first seek assistance, and to consider what the most appropriate point of contact might be.
“GP practices are open again today, and community pharmacies are also able to provide advice and help for many conditions. Good advice can also be obtained by visiting the website www.nhsinform.scot.”
Nationally, Scottish Health Secretary Shona Robison has acknowledged the impact of an ‘unprecedented’ combination of trauma cases and patients seeking help for flu-like symptoms, resulting in thousands of extra admissions.
The situation at Dumfries and Galloway Royal Infirmary is being continuously monitored, and patients are being notified of any outpatient clinics which have been suspended in the interim.
