Thousands in Bristol wait more than a year for hospital treatment

THOUSANDS of patients across Bristol have been waiting more than a year for treatment after their nonurgent procedures were put on hold.

At the start of the pandemic in March 2020 only 52 people had waited more than 12 months for treatment with the University Hospitals Bristol and Weston Trust; by November that figure had hit 2,892, with another 1,500 breaches expected this month.

At the North Bristol Trust the figure stood at 1,418 in December, predominantly due to reduced elective activity as part of the ongoing Covid19 response, up from 71 last March.

Some patients are deferring treatment due to concerns about coronavirus. At the UHBW Trust many of the delays relate to dental, paediatrics, general surgery, ophthalmology and cardiac procedures.

A report to board members this week said: “Due to the continued pressures with Covid and general increase in attendances due to winter, UHBW have stepped down the majority of routine operations, which will have a further impact on those patients who are considered low priority even though they have waited the longest in the weeks they have waited.”

A spokesperson for the Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire

CCG, said: “While we continue to provide emergency and cancer provision during this time and work closely with our local independent sector hospitals to maintain some elective surgery, it is not possible to resume previous levels of surgical or diagnostic activity.

“We are regularly reviewing this position and are putting plans in place over the coming months that look to tackle the backlog.”