TEMPORARY bed closures have so far led to three operations being cancelled at the Princess Elizabeth Hospital.

Giffard Ward was reduced from 30 to 20 beds on 27 April because of staff shortages.

Health and Social Services warned then that non-urgent operations could be delayed.

During the week beginning 27 April, three patients’ procedures were cancelled due to beds being unavailable on Giffard.

The following week no cancellations were made due to a lack of beds.

‘Victoria Wing has been absorbing the overflow of surgical admissions to ensure that emergency beds on Giffard Ward are kept free overnight,’ said a spokesman for the department.

‘This has resulted in an increased workload and the wing has been busy, but patients are moved onto general wards as soon as a bed becomes available. The measures implemented appear to be working well and staff on Giffard Ward are reporting a more manageable workload and an improvement in staff morale.’