Malaga hospitals plan for flu

THE Carlos Haya and Clinico Universitario hospitals in Malaga city will suspend programmed surgery for a few days if the cold spell produces extra patients requiring hospitalisation.

The temporary measure would ensure available space for those needing to be kept in after going to casualty departments at the two hospitals with flu or breathing problems.

Hospital sources declared that if the emergency measures were necessary, routine surgery would be re-programmed and those affected informed, but that operations for people with cancer or important heart-problems would not be cancelled.

“Only patients whose condition will not be worsened by waiting for a few days will have their surgery re-scheduled,” a hospital spokesman stated.

Demand for beds at the two hospitals is expected to increase at the beginning of February as numbers of flu-sufferers peaks.