Shropshire hospital services 'beginning to return to normal'

Regular services are starting to return to normal at Shropshire’s main hospitals now the coronavirus pandemic has “stabilised”, the trust’s chief executive has said.

“As many patients as possible” will be treated by for cancer and other urgent conditions at hospitals in Shrewsbury and Telford, according to Louise Barnett, the chief executive of the trust that runs the hospitals.

However Ms Barnett warned that reopening services at Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust will be a “complex process”.

In her report for the trust’s board, she added that the increase in telephone appointments during the Covid-19 pandemic had been “positively received” by patients and staff.

According to the latest NHS England figures released on Wednesday, 142 people have died with coronavirus while in the care of the trust.

Ms Barnett said that she sits on the trust’s Covid-19 committee, which meets on a weekly basis.

“The trust continues to take actions with reference to the national guidance,” she added.

More Covid-19 coverage:

• Ambulance staff ‘assaulted for asking patients to wear face mask’
• Shropshire Council Tory pair blast Cummings over lockdown journeys
• Government unveils list of stores set to reopen on June 15
• Police warning to trespassers after two people rescued from disused 'blue lagoon'
• Latest number of deaths and confirmed cases in your area
• See all the latest coronavirus news at shropshirestar.com/

“During the initial phase we, alongside other NHS organisations, reduced or paused a number of services to ensure we freed up maximum capacity to deal with the anticipated surge in the cases during the pandemic.

“Currently, the picture is more stable and the trust is in the process of restoring a number of services to ensure that as many patients as possible are able to receive care and treatment, particularly in terms of cancer and urgent care pathways.

“This is a complex process which we are working through alongside our local health and care partner organisations to ensure that all aspects of care, both in and out of hospital, are considered during this restoration phase.”

“Plans focus on the prioritisation of services to restore, patients’ needs and ensuring the appropriate care for patients who are confirmed to have or not have Covid-19, and those treated as suspected to have it.

“We have significantly changed the way we work in a number of areas, for example moving to telephone and virtual follow-up outpatient appointments, where this is appropriate.

“Early feedback suggests many of these changes have been positively received by both patients and staff.”

The walk-in phlebotomy services at the Princess Royal Hospital, Royal Shrewsbury Hospital and Bridgnorth’s and Whitchurch’s community hospitals have been halted “to ensure we have sufficient staff to provide a safe service and to minimise the risk to patients and staff”.

“However, blood tests are still being provided where there is an essential need and by appointment.

“These arrangements will be kept under review.”

The reports due to be discussed at the trust's board meeting on Thursday.