Statement from NHS Lothian on a major incident at Imperial Dock in Leith, Edinburgh, when a ship on dry dock became dislodged from its holding.
Update: Published at 1.31pm on 23/03/2023
Michelle Carr, Service Director, NHS Lothian, said:
“Five people remain in the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh following the major incident at Imperial Dock in Leith, and our thoughts continue to be with everyone affected by this incident.
“Outpatient appointments and elective surgeries have resumed today, and we will be in touch with everyone whose treatment was postponed to rearrange this as soon as possible.
“I want to thank our staff, partners and the public for their tremendous support and cooperation as we worked to maximise our capacity and deliver the best possible care.”
33 patients were treated by the Scottish Ambulance Service:
• 15 were transported to the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh (five of who remain in hospital)
• Four to the Western General Hospital (all now discharged)
• Two were taken to Victoria Hospital (NHS Fife)
• 12 patients were discharged at the scene – five of whom have since attended the RIE themselves.
Update: Published at 5pm on 22/03/2023
Eight patients remain in hospital following a major incident at Imperial Dock in Leith on Wednesday 22 March 2023 when a ship on dry dock became dislodged from its holding.
NHS Lothian received 21 patients in total, with 17 being treated at the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh (RIE) and a further four people attending the Western General Hospital (WGH).
Nineteen of these patients were taken to NHS Lothian hospitals by the Scottish Ambulance Service, with a further two people self-presenting at the RIE.
Two people were also taken to hospital in NHS Fife.
Of the 17 people treated at the RIE, nine have been discharged and eight are still in hospital, some with serious injuries. The four patients at the WGH are awaiting discharge.
Jacquie Campbell, Chief Officer of Acute Services, NHS Lothian, said: “Our staff are working tirelessly to ensure patients get the best care and our thoughts are with everyone affected by this incident.
“A&E at the RIE is the busiest in Scotland and 80 patients were already waiting for, or receiving, treatment in A&E prior to this incident.
“We worked quickly to create additional capacity across our hospitals, with support from partners and other sites.
“This included working with our health and social care partnerships (HSCPs) to discharge those who could leave hospital to maximise capacity across the system.
“Unfortunately, we did have to cancel outpatient appointments, endoscopies and planned surgeries at the RIE today to enable staff from other areas to support their A&E colleagues and to free-up our surgical staff for emergencies.
“There are no plans at this time to postpone appointments or elective procedures tomorrow, but assessments continue and patients will be contacted directly if the situation changes.
“I want to thank our staff, colleagues in the HSCPs and across the wider healthcare system for their considerable efforts to adapt quickly and respond to this incident, and their offers of support.
“There are now 47 patients in A&E and we’ve been able to keep this open to the public throughout our response to this incident.
“However, our staff remain very busy and we continue to urge people not to attend A&E unless it’s an emergency. Please contact your GP or NHS 24 on 111 for advice if you think you need urgent care.”
Statement: Published at 12:19pm on 22/03/2023
Jacquie Campbell, Chief Officer of Acute Services at NHS Lothian, said:
“We’re on standby to receive a number of patients at the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh’s A&E department following a major incident at Imperial Dock in Leith.
“We have been reviewing the current capacity at the RIE, with support from other sites, to prepare to accommodate these patients.
“Given the expected pressure on the site, we urge people not to attend A&E at the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh unless it’s an emergency.
“If you think you need urgent care, please contact your GP or call NHS 24 on 111 to seek advice. Thank you.”
