Nicola Sturgeon unveils emergency measures to help Scottish hospitals
First minister says Scotland's hospitals are almost completely full' as she announces measures to ease pressure
Scottish hospitals will be allowed to cancel non-urgent operations and move patients into care homes to help tackle exceptional and severe" pressures on the NHS, Nicola Sturgeon has announced.
The first minister said Scotland's hospitals were almost completely full" as she unveiled a package of emergency measures to help relieve pressure on emergency rooms and allow hospitals to focus on critical care.
NHS boards will be allowed to cancel non-essential operations to prioritise life-saving care and redeploy staff to areas under the greatest pressure.
Doctors' surgeries will in some areas open on Saturdays to divert people from hospitals.
Staffing at the helpline NHS24 will be increased.
Continue reading...