Operations hit by lack of beds at isles hospital

NHS Western Isles says some patients are having planned operations postponed due to a lack of bed space in Western Isles Hospital in Stornoway, Lewis.

A meeting of the health board heard the problem was due to the delayed discharge of patients from the hospital.

Chief executive Gordon Jamieson said the Western Isles currently had the highest level of delayed discharge in Scotland per head of population.

The meeting heard there was a lack of staff available to provide care at home packages and a shortage of care home places.

Mr Jamieson said: "There's work going on continually about different approaches to recruitment and trying to get more staff in.

"It remains extremely challenging to get workforce, particularly I think to allow more social care provision."

Western Isles Hospital is the largest of three hospitals in the islands.

Reporting by local democracy journalist Peter Urpeth.