Some surgeries cancelled

Wednesday 08 January 2025

At least 14 patients have had their elective surgeries postposed over the coming few days, as the PEH is "over capacity".

HSC says any cancer and emergency surgeries will continue to be prioritised but less urgent operations will be pushed back to "ensure safe practice", meaning more could be at risk of rescheduling.

A spokesperson confirmed this afternoon that: "The Princess Elizabeth Hospital is currently at over capacity so some elective surgeries have unfortunately, but unavoidably, had to be postponed to ensure safe practice."

They said 14 elective surgeries have already been postponed this week - and there may need to be further changes made to schedules, including postponing more elective surgeries over the coming days while the capacity issues are resolved.

"Additional temporary beds, called flex beds, have been utilised but cannot be used for longer than a short-term fix, which is why the difficult decision has been taken to postpone some elective surgery," said HSC. "Further beds have been added to patient wards to ensure staff are focused on caring for the additional admissions.

"HSC recognises it is always disappointing when elective surgery must be postponed and apologises for the impact this has on individuals and their families.

"There is no single factor impacting on acute care and it is a seasonal issue with demand outstripping available capacity. Teams from both the hospital and community have worked tirelessly to minimise the number of postponed elective surgeries and safe discharges out of the hospital. We have also increased capacity within the Day Patient Unit to ensure some surgeries can still take place and to utilise theatre capacity."

HSC said the situation is being "closely monitored and assessed by a critical incident team" who are giving priority to elective cancer surgeries and urgent emergency admissions.

Any patient who has had their elective surgery postponed will have it rearranged as soon as possible, added HSC with the spokesperson acknowledging that this in turn "may have an impact on some other patients who currently have a date for surgery".

"The MSG will be in contact with patients as needed," they said.

As well as postponing some surgeries, HSC has urged anyone visiting the Princess Elizabeth Hospital to be cautious if they are showing signs of being unwell, while asking everyone to observe basic hand hygiene measures.

"We would repeat our general appeal that if you are symptomatic of a respiratory infection, please do not visit patients at the PEH campus or attend outpatient appointments.

"All visitors should please ensure that you wash your hands on entering and leaving the wards/departments."

Pictured top: File image.