Dr Neil Dewhurst, president of the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh, has warned capacity in Scotland's hospitals continues to be stretched.

He has called for greater focus on the problem, which he said resulted in patients being moved around different wards, potentially spreading infections.

Bed occupancy levels above 100% have been reported in NHS Lothian and NHS Fife, while NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde (NHSGGC) says it is experiencing high demand for emergency care and has opened extra beds to accommodate patients.

Mr Colin Campbell Mainds, who worked from BMI Ross Hall Hospital in Glasgow, performed operations on a number of patients for NHS Lothian so it could meet the Scottish Government's treatment time guarantees.

However, some of the patients were re-admitted to Lothian hospitals after undergoing their procedures, and the health board raised concerns about their medical care.