THE Scottish government has been accused of overseeing a national scandal as a health board was forced to put scheduled hospital treatments — including some cancer procedures — on hold.

Bosses at NHS Lanarkshire are said to have emailed staff advising them of the change in risk status.

Labour warned that the move showed there was now a “full-blown NHS crisis.”

The military is now providing “additional support” in hospitals in the area, the email adds.

It stated: “Unfortunately, the current pressures mean we are having to further stand down elective [planned] procedures including some cancer procedures, which we will reschedule as soon as possible.”

Labour health spokeswoman Jackie Baillie said: “This astonishing move puts it beyond doubt that we are in the midst of a full-blown NHS crisis.

“It is a damning indictment of the SNP’s recovery plan that risk levels in Lanarkshire are now higher than they were when Covid was at its peak.”

Ms Baillie said that while NHS staff “are working tirelessly to do right by patients,” health services were now being “simply stretched past breaking point.”

NHS Lanarkshire confirmed it had moved to the highest risk level.

Laura Ace, the board’s strategic commander and deputy chief executive, said the board was facing “relentless pressures, bed shortages and staff shortages,” which showed no sign of easing, and thanked staff for their commitment. 

She added: “The safety of our patients and staff is our top priority and we are working through short and medium-term actions to increase staffing and also improve the flow of patients out of hospital. 

“We hope that the current actions being taken will help reduce the pressures on our staff and services in the coming days.”