ROUTINE operations have been postponed at the Borders General Hospital (BGH) for the rest of the week.

NHS Borders says it is experiencing "pressure on the system" due to the number of patients being treated in COVID-19 wards.

And, as result, the health board has decided to pause all routine operations.

In a press release issued at 5pm today (December 16), the health board said patients who are affected will be contacted directly and that next week’s activity will be reviewed at the end of this week.

However, all outpatient appointments, cancer treatment and urgent operations will still go ahead.

Gareth Clinkscale, associate director of acute services, said: “Cancelling elective operations is not a decision that we have taken lightly and I would like to apologise for any distress and disappointment this has inevitably caused.

"The safety of our patients and staff is incredibly important and it was necessary to make these difficult decisions to ensure this.

“Visiting to the Borders General Hospital remains limited to essential visits only.

"This decision will also be reviewed again next week and we thank you for your understanding."