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A Birmingham hospital has announced that all elective procedures are being postponed due to a “significant increase” in “very sick” patients.
Seriously ill patients include both those with COVID-19 and those with other illnesses as well, according to a statement from Birmingham University Hospitals.
Procedures have been suspended at Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham and gynecology procedures at Good Hope Hospital have also been stopped.
Universities Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust is the largest hospital trust in England.
A statement from the trust said: “This is an extremely difficult decision and has not been made lightly. We know that affected patients will be distressed and upset by this decision, and for this we can only apologize.”
“However, we must ensure that all those who need urgent care can safely access treatment.
“Cancer treatment and life-saving care will continue to be our priority. All patients affected by this announcement will be contacted individually to reorganize their postponed surgery.”
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The news comes days after the Northwest Ambulance Service (NWAS) declared a “major incident” after receiving a large number of calls.
In a statement posted on Twitter and Facebook, NWAS said that if callers have a non-life-threatening concern, they may be asked to seek treatment elsewhere or to make their own way to the hospital. The incident stopped hours later.
NHS managers hope to keep elective procedures up and running during the second coronavirus wave, but industry leaders have doubts about this.
Nicki Credland, President of the British Association of Critical Care Nurses: “Keeping elective work for the NHS is really important in terms of the health of the nation.
“No one, no nurse, no doctor within the NHS would want patients to suffer because they cannot access the NHS for routine treatment.
“You just can’t have those people in two places at the same time.”
