Cancer operations have been cancelled at Lanarkshire hospitals due to “overwhelming” pressure on A&E services.
The health board said University hospitals Hairmyres, Monklands and Wishaw are all at maximum capacity and warned patients to expect long delays.
A high number or emergency patients have had to be admitted which has "unfortunately" put pressure on other services including cancer surgery, the board said.
A spokewoman for NHS Lanarkshire said today that two patients had been affected by cancellations and said the operations would be re-scheduled as soon as possible.
Families of patients are being asked for their assistance to help “free up” hospital beds.
Army personnel are due to be despatched to assist the board later in the week.
Judith Park, NHS Lanarkshire director of acute services, said: “Emergency Departments at our three acute hospitals are currently overwhelmed by the number patients attending and needing admitted.
“We are sorry that this means patients are having to wait much longer to be seen that we would like, and well in excess of our target of four hours.
“A high number of these patients need to be admitted which is causing severe pressures throughout our hospitals.
“Unfortunately, we have already had to cancel some cancer procedures as a result.
“The safety of our patients and staff is our top priority and we are taking all necessary action to ensure safe and effective patient care and address the current pressures.
“We are making the best use of the staff and beds that are available to enable us to treat patients appropriately and we have additional support from the military coming in to help in our hospitals later this week.
“Right now, we would encourage people to really consider if they need to attend A&E. Unless it is life-threating, we would advise anyone who is feeling unwell to visit the NHS Inform website or call NHS24 on 111 for health advice in the first instance.
“To help free up hospital beds, we are also grateful for any assistance from family members to allow us to discharge people home or to interim care placements as soon as possible.”
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