Cancer operations and cardiac procedures are among a number of crucial surgeries resuming at NHS Ayrshire & Arran over the coming weeks.
The health board is taking steps to return to normal with a number of elective procedures set to be reintroduced after being suspended due to the coronavirus crisis.
Emergency surgery, as well as some cancer operations and some urgent surgery, was continued during the initial phase of the pandemic while other procedures were suspended during this time.
Initial priority areas as follows: cancer surgery (including colorectal and upper GI surgery); endoscopy and colonoscopy procedures; cardiac procedures and investigations (for example pacemaker battery replacements and urgent cardiac physiology investigations); clinically urgent and time-sensitive procedures across all surgical specialties.
Medical director Dr Crawford McGuffie said: “Patient safety is our number one priority.
“We have introduced new infection control measures to keep patients as safe as possible before, during and after their operation. Our dedicated teams are working hard to minimise the risk as a result of exposure to COVID-19.
“Although the way we are delivering services has changed, your NHS is still open. I would like to thank the public for their continued support at this time.”
