A huge number of Edinburgh surgeries have been cancelled, with more to be postponed in the coming days following a sterilisation 'leak' at the Royal Infirmary.
NHS Lothian have announced many planned and non-emergency operations will be forced to wait after the incident at their Hospital Sterlisisation and Decontamination Unit (HDSU). Located at the RIE in Little France, the unit suffered a water leak and damp on Friday from a burst drainage pipe, meaning the unit was instantly closed.
With the facility usually cleaning surgical instruments and preparing them for operations across the entire NHS Lothian board, officials have now said surgery delays will continue in the coming days. With routine elective procedures being considered on a day-by-day basis, only those who are most urgent will be prioritised.
