This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/scotland/glasgow_and_west/6244815.stm

The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
Hospital 'closes' casualty unit Hospital casualty unit reopens
(about 2 hours later)
Wishaw General has closed its doors to all but the most severe emergencies after a 64% surge in admissions. Wishaw General has reopened after it closed its doors to all but the most severe emergencies after a 64% surge in admissions due to a respiratory virus.
Patients are being taken to Hairmyres and Monklands hospitals, which have witnessed increases of 42% and 36%. Patients were taken to Hairmyres and Monklands hospitals, which 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 three hospitals in the county were experiencing unprecedented patient levels.
The health board has faced criticism over a decision to close one of its three casualty units, at Monklands. Wishaw General Hospital accident and emergency was reopened to general admissions at 1430 GMT.
Wishaw General Hospital is in the constituency of First Minister Jack McConnell. The hospital is in the constituency of First Minister Jack McConnell.
Officials said the hospitals were treating people who had "become quite ill" from the bug and needed urgent care.Officials said the hospitals were treating people who had "become quite ill" from the bug and needed urgent care.
Winter plansWinter 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.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 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."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.""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. 'Turned away'
Patients were 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.
The health board has faced criticism over a decision to shut one of its three casualty units, at Monklands, as part of a £300m plan to reorganise services in the area.
SNP health spokeswoman Shona Robison MSP said that Tuesday's closure showed "a desperate need" to retain three A&Es in Lanarkshire.
"It is inconceivable that closing Monklands A&E should remain an option," she said.
"The fact that capacity is being stretched and people in need of treatment are being turned away vindicates the SNP's argument that the downgrading of services in Lanarkshire is deeply flawed and is putting people at risk."