A lack of high dependency beds in Scottish hospitals is compromising the care of some patients after surgery, says the first review of anaesthesia services in Scotland.

The report, produced by NHS Quality Improvement Scotland, found that the provision of adequately staffed and equipped high dependency beds in the country was inadequate. This lack is leading to the premature discharge of patients from high dependency units to general wards, where they may not get the same level of postoperative care. It is also leading to delay or cancellation of operations. The report recommends that more beds …