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Hospital 'closes' casualty unit Hospital 'closes' casualty unit
(about 1 hour later)
Wishaw Hospital has closed its doors to all but the most severe emergencies after a 60% increase in patients. Wishaw General has closed its doors to all but the most severe emergencies after a 64% surge in admissions.
The Scottish Ambulance Service is taking patients to Hairmyres Hospital, 15 miles away in East Kilbride. Patients are being taken to Hairmyres and Monklands hospitals, which have witnessed increases of 42% and 36%.
NHS Lanarkshire said its three hospitals in the county were experiencing unprecedented levels of activity due to a respiratory virus.NHS Lanarkshire said its three hospitals in the county were experiencing unprecedented levels of activity due to a respiratory virus.
The health board has faced criticism over a decision to close one of its three casualty units, at Monklands.The health board has faced criticism over a decision to close one of its three casualty units, at Monklands.
BBC Scotland's health correspondent Eleanor Bradford said: "Health services around the country have been under pressure during recent weeks as winter infections increase. Wishaw General Hospital is in the constituency of First Minister Jack McConnell.
"During times of extreme pressure, hospitals around the country do divert emergencies." Officials said the hospitals were treating people who had "become quite ill" from the bug and needed urgent care.
Wishaw Hospital is in the constituency of First Minister Jack McConnell. Winter plans
A statement from NHS Lanarkshire said: "We are experiencing unprecedented levels of activity in the three NHS Lanarkshire Hospitals, with a significant rise in emergency medical admissions resulting from the respiratory illness that is affecting the whole of Scotland.
"We are working with clinical staff and colleagues in primary care to ensure that all patients are seen, assessed, treated and admitted where appropriate.
"We have escalated our winter plans to cancel some elective admissions but are continuing with urgent and cancer inpatient procedures.
"All day case procedures are continuing as normal."
Patients are being urged to use "appropriate" health services through their pharmacist, GP and out-of-hours service, and are also being advised that attendance at the hospitals should be for emergencies.