3 January 2018

Advice to people with planned operations and outpatient appointments

Like many other Trusts, we are seeing a greater demand for our services over the winter period.

Having already planned a reduced level of elective work we are maintaining our workload, focussing on day surgery, urgent procedures, and outpatients. Unless you hear from us directly, please assume your appointment is going ahead.

Dr Adrian Bull, Chief Executive: “Our winter planning has helped us to manage this increase in demand. Our plans included a reduction in some routine surgery, to increase bed space. We are continuing with our planned level of activity, most of which is day surgery, although this is being reviewed on a day to day basis. We are working closely with our partners in adult social care to support patients to stay at home where appropriate and be discharged from hospital once they are medically stable.

“We expect the pressure to remain over the next few days, however our focus remains on providing the highest quality service for our patients.”