HEALTH boards across Scotland have cancelled non-urgent care ahead of a red weather warning for Storm Eowyn on Friday.
NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, NHS Lothian, NHS Ayrshire and Arran, and NHS Fife have cancelled outpatient procedures due to the severe weather forecast.
The Met Office issued a rare red alert on Thursday as Storm Eowyn is expected to bring intense weather conditions with some parts of the country potentially seeing wind speeds of 100mph.
On Thursday evening millions of Scots who live in areas likely to see a serious danger to life were sent an emergency alert to their mobile phones by the UK Government which displayed urgent guidance.
The announcement of some health boards cancelling non-urgent care on Friday follows the news that trains across Scotland will be suspended, along with hundreds of school closures while police have warned people to stay indoors in the affected areas.
Confirming the decision NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde said in a statement that urgent and emergency care and essential maternity and community services will still be provided on Friday.
The statement read: “Following the red weather warning, non-urgent outpatient appointments and routine hospital admissions scheduled for Friday January 24 are being cancelled.
“Urgent and emergency care and essential maternity and community services will continue to be provided.
“If you are affected, we will reschedule your appointment as soon as possible. All vaccination clinics due to take place on Friday January 24 have been cancelled and appointments will be rescheduled.”
NHS Ayrshire and Arran confirmed that GP practices will be only providing urgent care, while all vaccination clinics would be closed.
A spokesperson said: “Non-urgent outpatient appointments and elective hospital admissions scheduled for Friday 24th January are being cancelled.
“Urgent and emergency care and essential maternity and community services will continue to be provided.”
Meanwhile, NHS Fife said in a statement: “Severe weather warnings have been issued across Fife, including parts of the region where a red warning is in place for dangerous winds.
“To help ensure the safety of our patients and staff, we have made the decision to postpone all routine clinic appointments, diagnostics and planned theatre activity.”
