The Gilbert Bain Hospital is currently operating at full capacity following a sustained period of high demand across both hospital and community services.
To ensure we continue to provide emergency care, all available inpatient beds have been opened. However, maintaining this level of care requires careful consideration of which services we can safely continue to deliver based on available staffing.
As part of our response, we have taken the difficult decision to cancel a number of non-urgent surgical procedures. Theatre lists will be reviewed throughout the week, and any patients affected will be contacted directly. We will reschedule these procedures as soon as possible.
Emergency surgery and urgent cancer treatment will continue as planned. Outpatient clinics and other hospital departments remain open, but some may need to adjust their opening hours to support areas under increased pressure.
We are working closely with our colleagues in community health and social care to ensure patients receive the right care, in the right place, at the right time. Joint efforts are ongoing to improve patient flow across hospital and community settings, reduce delays, and maintain patient safety.
Professor Kathleen Carolan, Director of Nursing and Acute Services, said: “Over recent weeks, our hospital and community services have been under significant pressure. We are doing everything possible to manage the current demand, including bringing in additional agency staff to support us.
“We understand how disruptive it is when procedures are postponed, and we only make these decisions when absolutely necessary. Patient and staff safety remains our top priority, and we thank everyone for their continued patience and understanding.”
We kindly ask anyone with cold or flu-like symptoms to delay visiting the hospital until they are fully recovered. Likewise, those who have experienced vomiting or diarrhoea should wait at least 48 hours after symptoms have passed before visiting to help protect patients and staff.
We will continue to review the situation daily and provide regular updates to keep patients and families informed. Our staff remain dedicated and flexible in supporting safe, high-quality care across all settings.
If you have any concerns or questions about your appointment, please contact us using the number on your appointment letter.