Hospitals call off non-urgent surgery
SOME non-urgent operations are being postponed at Halton and Warrington hospitals.
The move was in response to the Covid-19 coronavirus outbreak and the activation of the sites’ emergency procedures.
Warrington And Halton Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust said urgent and emergency operations and cancer treatments are not affected and maternity services continue to operate as normal.
Chris Evans, WHH’s chief operating officer, said the move is intended to free up hospital beds to accommodate an increase in patients with ‘severe respiratory problems’.
The trust reiterated its message for patients with symptoms of Covid-19 not to visit hospital or their general practice and to instead call NHS 111.
Anyone with a general cold, cough, cold, or runny nose must not come to the hospital.
The same applies to residents suffering upset stomach such as diarrhoea or vomiting.
Mr Evans said: “Like all other trusts, and in line with national guidance from NHS England/Improvement, the trust has activated its emergency preparedness and resilience procedure in response to the Covid-19 (coronavirus) outbreak.
“We are doing this on a day by day basis and only after clinical review with the intention of postponing as few procedures as possible.
“We realise how distressing that this is for patients awaiting their procedures, but we would like to reassure that as soon as we are able to resume normal activities they will be contacted to reschedule.
“At the same time we have, where appropriate, begun to offer telephone out-patient consultations to our patients, especially those with long term conditions who require ongoing management.
“As well as being significantly more convenient for patients it helps reduce exposure to potential infections for patients and staff.
“Patients who are concerned about coming in to the hospital for their appointment due to Covid19 should make sure that they telephone the clinic in good time to advise if they will not attend.
“As always, this remains an evolving situation and the trust continues to change and adapt to meet the needs of our patients as new guidance is issued.”