Pressure on bed numbers has come earlier than expected this year

BBC Scotland has learned that the National Health Service in Glasgow is to re-examine winter plans because the city's hospitals are already struggling to cope with the pressure on bed numbers.

Health authorities said they have invested half a million pounds in additional nursing and ambulance staff to prepare for winter.

However despite this funding, Glasgow Royal Infirmary has been unable to accept patients referred to them by doctors.

Planned operations at other hospitals have been cancelled and patients have endured long waits lying on trollies in hospital corridors.

NHS Greater Glasgow said the pressure is unexpected at this stage in the year and they are reviewing their winter arrangements to make sure they are robust.

I want to reassure the public that the NHS does not turn away patients who need emergency care Catriona Renfrew

Experts say the early pressure on bed numbers raises questions about the ability of the health service to cope in the event of a serious flu epidemic.

Glasgow GP Dr Douglas Colville said one of his elderly patients was recently turned away from the city's Victoria Infirmary because of pressure for beds.

"I recently visited a lady in her 80s at home and in my opinion she merited emergency admission to hospital.

"I phoned the Victoria to arrange this but was told it was impossible to admit her that day because there were no beds, and that I should try another Glasgow hospital instead," he told BBC Scotland.

Cancelled operations

Catriona Renfrew, Director of Planning with NHS Greater Glasgow, said she wanted to reassure the public that emergency patients will not be turned away.

"I'm really quite concerned to hear this story. We do have a clear protocol that if any GP refers a patient for assessment, it's our job to find a place where that patient can be assessed and to find them a bed if they need admission.

"In the case of Dr Colville, that clearly hasn't happened and we need to find out why that is."

She added: "I want to reassure the public that the NHS does not turn away patients who need emergency care.