Trusts cancel planned surgery as Covid pressures mount

A number of scheduled operations due to take place this week have had to be postponed, amid a surge in Coronavirus cases.

Both Belfast and the Northern Trust confirmed the measures, as part of contingency plans.

Downtown Cool FM understands the south Eastern Trust is planning similar interventions next week.

In a statement, a spokesperson for the Northern Trust said:

"Regrettably the Northern Trust has cancelled the majority of its planned / elective surgery to both free up staff to support the significant COVID-19 surge experience in the Trust and to reduce the clinical risk to patients who are or may be exposed to the virus.

"The Trust is currently in the process of contacting those patients who will be affected.

"We apologise for the distress these further steps will cause. We will rearrange this surgery as soon as possible and we will do everything we can to ensure continuity of care throughout this challenging time."

Meanwhile, it is understood management at the Belfast Trust are considering switching to remote outpatient appointments.

In a statement, the Belfast Trust said:

"Belfast Trust has made the difficult decision to cancel all planned in patient surgery this week due to rising numbers of Covid cases. We are fully aware of the level of anxiety and concern Covid-19 has caused our service users since March 2020 and we apologise for the distress these further steps will cause. We will rearrange this surgery as soon as possible and we will do everything we can to ensure continuity of care throughout this challenging time.

"We are also actively considering moving many outpatient appointments to virtual appointments in order to reduce footfall on our sites and to encourage the public to stay home whenever possible."

Over the last seven days 12,144 people have tested positive for coronavirus, while 592 patients in hospital have covid.