Scores of operations cancelled at Edinburgh hospital as it runs out of clean tools

DOZENS of operations have been cancelled at a hospital because of a lack of sterilised surgical instruments.

The problem means patients turning up at Edinburgh Royal Infirmary for operations have had to be sent home as the sterilising unit cannot provide enough trays of equipment.

The issue has led to 80 ops in NHS Lothian being cancelled this year, according to one source.

A unnamed consultant warned there were instrument sterilisation issues across the country and no extra capacity at any Scottish site.

Miles Briggs, health spokesman for the Scottish Conservatives, said: “Edinburgh is in a crisis position around waiting times for orthopaedic operations.

“The sterile services unit is not for purpose either.”

NHS Lothian confirmed nine operations had been postponed this week and others had been in previous weeks, because of sterilisation problems.

It said there were pressures within the hospital sterilisation and disinfection unit where demand is greater than capacity and action was being taken to resolve this.

Jacquie Campbell, NHS Lothian’s, chief officer, acute hospital services, apologised to affected patients and added that safety was the health board’s top priority.