A health board is planning to resume a “small number” of planned operations, giving the first indication NHS services cancelled due to covid-19 are restarting in Scotland.

NHS Lanarkshire has announced a limited number of clinically urgent operations will begin again for patients requiring ophthalmology, vascular and colorectal surgery at University Hospital Hairmyres.

New infection control measures have been introduced to limit the risk of any exposure to covid-19, the health board said.

All pre-surgery checks will be carried out at ‘one-stop’ clinics running five days a week,  with a limited number of patients to both maintain social distancing measures and reflect the current surgery capacity.

Before being given an appointment at the clinic, patients will receive a call from their surgeon to discuss the surgery so they can make an informed decision as to whether they wish to proceed.

Patients will be swabbed for covid-19 at the clinic and will be required to shield for 14 days prior to their operation.

Another covid test will then be taken two days before the operation, either at a drive-through appointment for those with their own transport or on the patient’s doorstep.

Although the health service has remained open for emergencies, the covid-19 pandemic has led to the cancellation of many procedures and operations. 

The NHS in England was instructed to restart non-covid urgent services at the beginning of May.

In Scotland, there has been a more cautious approach, which has led to calls for a plan with concerns over a backlog of treatment for conditions such as cancer and heart disease building up.

Last week Scotland’s Deputy First Minister John Swinney said the Scottish Government would  “look carefully” at resumption of cancelled NHS services when there is more evidence virus infection numbers are falling.

Heather Knox, Director of Acute Services at NHS Lanarkshire, said: “In line with other hospitals across the UK, NHS Lanarkshire is resuming a small number of clinically urgent elective operations.

“We have introduced new infection control measures to keep patients as safe as possible before surgery, while they are in hospital, and after their operation.

“We have also introduced new pathways through the hospital and designated areas for special care for our patients.

“I would like to reassure everyone, that although the way we are delivering services have changed, your NHS is still open.”

Cameron Sharkey, Service Manager for Surgical and Critical Care at NHS Lanarkshire, said: “While we are re-establishing a limited number of surgeries, we would like to reassure patients that we are taking all necessary steps to ensure that this process is as safe as possible.

“Our pre-assessment service facilitates the safe delivery of urgent elective surgery. These clinics will take place five days a week at University Hospital Hairmyres.

“Safety of our patients is our number one priority and we will ensure that any risk to patients as a result of exposure to covid-19 is minimised.”

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