NHS Lothian bosses are exploring the option of reopening Liberton Hospital in the South of Edinburgh as they attempt to deal with immense pressure.
The hospital, which was sold to Edinburgh Council earlier this year with the view of demolishing the site and building housing, could be used once more as hospital wards within the Lothian health board are at full capacity, Edinburgh Live understands.
The hospital previously specialised in elderly patients, with 170 beds in eight acute wards. The plans to move back to the site from NHS Lothian would only see one of those wards used.
Fiona Ireland, Interim Executive Nurse Director, confirmed that the health board have recently been exploring options to expand the service to try and deal with the increased pressure on staff, opening Liberton Hospital being one of them.
She said: "Over the last few days NHS Lothian has been exploring options to create extra bed capacity to help ease the significant pressure the Health Board is experiencing. This includes whether staffing could be available to open one ward in Liberton Hospital.
"Our services continue to be under immense pressure. Our emergency departments are extremely busy and our wards are operating at capacity. Every bed counts."
Fiona also urged those who are in need of A&E, but not critically, to call NHS 24 on 111 first.
She added: "If anyone thinks they need A&E, but it is not a critical emergency, or if they have a minor injury, it’s really important they call NHS 24 on 111 first, day or night, to be referred to the right service.
"GPs are also available for urgent and routine care and local pharmacies can help first with minor illnesses. NHS Inform online provides helpful advice on accessing services and those that are available locally."
Ian Murray, Labour MP for Edinburgh South, has recently called for a response to the increased A&E waiting times within NHS Lothian and gave his reaction to potential plans to reopen Liberton Hospital.
He said: "This demonstrates the immense pressure facing NHS Lothian.
"Our over-stretched NHS staff are doing an incredible job and simply haven’t had the support they need from the Scottish Government."
The Scottish Government was approached for comment.
