Practices in a region of Scotland have been ordered to suspend all routine services and concentrate on the most serious cases.

The “black alert” will remain in place in NHS Lanarkshire for up to four weeks, it was announced. Practices will focus on the most urgent and “time critical” care, the organisation said. It said health and care services are facing more pressure than at “any other point in their history.” This has come alongside record COVID numbers and continuing staff sickness absences, NHS Lanarkshire said.

Dr Keith McIntyre, chair of Lanarkshire GP Sub-Committee, said: “We are asking Lanarkshire residents for their continued help and support during this challenging time. There are a number of alternatives where people can turn to for health care, which will allow GP practices to focus on the most urgent of cases. The services provided under this change will vary between practices depending on their individual circumstances, however, GPs will continue to see patients in-person as and when it is appropriate. Practices have infection control processes in place, including physical distancing. People should continue to contact their GP practice for urgent issues, such as if they think they have symptoms of cancer.”

Dr Linda Findlay, medical director of South Lanarkshire Health and Social Care Partnership, said: “GPs have been open throughout the pandemic and have been busier than ever. They have changed the way they provide care to help protect their patients, maintain safe infection control measures and minimise physical contact. This change to GP practices will help us deal with the continuing challenges in community services and help reduce the pressure across the whole system, including our acute hospitals which are under sustained pressure.”

Scotland reported 1,537 patients in hospital with COVID yesterday. Numbers in Scotland have been continuing to increase while in England they are now declining. The UK reported 129,587 new cases of infection and 398 new deaths from COVID yesterday. While the number of daily infections is declining, it is the largest number of deaths since mid-February last year.