Question reference: S5W-34229
- Asked by: Rhoda Grant, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Labour
- Date lodged: 22 December 2020
-
Current status: Answered by Jeane Freeman on 20 January 2021
Question
To ask the Scottish Government what instructions it has given to hospitals in the Highlands and Islands with regard to undertaking (a) routine and (b) priority operations.
Answer
In view of the emergence of the new and more virulent variant of the virus and increasing pressures on NHS services as we move through the busy winter period, we have advised Health Boards that they can pause, where necessary, non-urgent elective and routine activity during January and February to help free up capacity to manage these pressures. It has also been made clear to Health Boards that they must maintain urgent elective and vital cancer services including national cancer screening programmes.
However, the expectation remains that Health Boards should continue to provide planned services where these can be delivered safely and effectively, on the basis that these are in compliance with the Framework for Clinical Prioritisation of Elective Care which was published on 16 November 2020.
It is remains of the utmost importance that all Health Boards are fully prepared to respond to Covid cases and that emergency, urgent, maternity and vital cancer services are protected and prioritised.