Non-urgent surgery cancelled due to soaring cases of Covid-19

STRAIN: Staff at Hull Royal Infirmary are under pressure

Hull’s soaring rates of Covid-19 are forcing health officials to cancel planned surgical procedures.

The city now has one of the highest rates of infection anywhere in the country, following a significant increase since the weekend, with hospital services further hit by the number of staff being forced to self-isolate.

Hull University Teaching Hospitals Trust has now revealed it is having to cancel non-urgent surgery to cope with the unprecedented demand.

Teresa Cope, Chief Operating Officer at the trust, said: “We have seen a 20 per cent increase in the number of patients admitted to Hull Royal Infirmary and Castle Hill Hospital with confirmed Covid-19 since the weekend.

“Hull’s rate of infection is now way above the national average, one of the highest in the north. Unfortunately, our staff and services are witnessing the consequences of that.

“With 141 people currently in our hospitals, we are way past the peak we experienced during the first wave of the pandemic, when we had 110 patients in our care at the one time. We are also seeing high numbers of staff absences through self-isolation and Track and Trace and, taking all those factors into consideration, we have taken the decision to reschedule some non-urgent surgery.”

As during the first wave, clinicians will continue to check each case to priorities those most in need, including those waiting for cancer treatment, Ms Cope said.

‘APOLOGIES’: Teresa Cope

“We know the impact this has on people awaiting procedures so, to them, I offer my heartfelt apologies.” she said. “This is not a step we are taking lightly but, given the current situation in our city and surrounding areas, it is a step we must take.

“Our Emergency Department remains open for the most seriously ill and injured.  While we ask those people who are not in need of urgent or emergency medical attention to seek help from Urgent Treatment Centres, their GP or community pharmacists, we will still be there for people with medical emergencies. 

“We will be contacting people over the next few days if we need to reschedule their procedures but, in the meantime, please continue to attend hospital for your appointment unless we contact you to say otherwise.”