Isle of Wight hospital cancels operations amid 'critical' pressure
Bosses at St Mary's say they're facing 'unprecedented challenges'.
Last updated 20th Dec 2022
The Isle of Wight's only hospital has cancelled many routine appointments and most planned surgeries until Friday (December 23rd) amid 'critical pressures'.
Bosses at St Mary's Hospital in Newport say the site is facing 'unprecedented pressures', following months of extreme pressure and another very busy weekend.
The Isle of Wight NHS Trust has said that cancer treatment and urgent operations will still go ahead, and that those affected are being contacted.
Compulsory mask-wearing is also being reintroduced with immediate effect for those entering clinical areas, due to the rise in the cases of flu.
Juliet Pearce, Director of Nursing, Midwifery and Allied health Professionals at the Isle of Wight NHS Trust, said:
"Almost every day more people arrive at the hospital than leave and many of these urgently need our help and a hospital bed.
"Our teams are working extremely hard to find beds for everyone who needs them. We have added as many extra beds as we safely can, turning our Endoscopy Ward into a 10-bed ward to support the Emergency Department. We have appealed to all of our staff to work extra hours.
"The biggest difference we could make is to safely discharge those patients who no longer need specialist care in a hospital. 25% of people in our hospital today could be better cared for somewhere else.”
The hospital is asking for support from all its partners with this as well as Island residents.
Families and friends are being asked to support the NHS by collecting patients from hospital as soon as they are ready to be discharged and to consider offering short term support and care for their loved ones at home.
Dr Michele Legg, Island GP and Clinical Director at Hampshire and Isle of Wight Integrated Care Board, said:
“I cannot emphasise enough how hard colleagues across the Isle of Wight are working together to ensure our patients continue to be able to access the care they need when they need it. Within General Practice this means that some routine appointments may be postponed to help clinicians treat patients who need to be seen urgently, but we will do our best to minimise disruption.
“Please be patient with us as we try to find the best possible way to help you. People can also help by looking out for elderly and vulnerable people in the community during this period of cold weather, and by choosing the right service at the right time.”