Multiple London hospitals suspend non-urgent operations due to Covid-19 pressures

21 December 2020, 16:09

The Royal Free London Trust have paused “all non-urgent, time critical planned procedures".
The Royal Free London Trust have paused “all non-urgent, time critical planned procedures". Picture: Royal Free Hospital

By Joe Cook

Two of London’s major NHS Trusts have begun postponing routine care and non-urgent operations due to Covid-19 pressures, as the capital faces a surge in cases.

From Monday afternoon, the Royal Free London Trust have paused “all non-urgent, time critical planned procedures/operations and out-patient services”.

Apologising for the “difficult decision” the trust explained the move: “As more people require care for COVID-19, it’s essential for us to free up vital clinical staff to support areas of our hospitals that need it most during this challenging time.”

Although they described the cancellation of non-urgent care as “temporary”, the Royal Free said they could not advise when these appointments will be rescheduled.

Read more: Coronavirus live: latest developments as Europe closes doors to UK

Read more: Tier 4 shielding guidance: Who needs to shield and can people go to work?

Sage member tells LBC infections need to be brought under control

London is seeing a surge in coronavirus cases, with the capital and much of the South East of England placed in strict Tier 4 measures in an effort not to overwhelm the NHS.

The new strain of the virus, which is now dominant in the capital, is more infectious but is not thought to be more dangerous than the previous variant.

Read more: France to lift ban on lorries 'within hours' after closing border

Read more: UK sees biggest-ever daily rise in cases after recording 35,928 more infections

Barts Health, London’s largest NHS Trust, have also announced a move “into a ‘high pressure’ phrase”, with “some routine procedures” deferred.

In a statement, the trust said it was necessary “to help... manage the high number of patients” and “increase the number of critical care and general beds available”.

However, they noted: “This is not a blanket postponement and does not affect our cancer patients.”

Read more: Will the UK go into another national lockdown in January?

Sadiq Khan: 'Stay in London' for Christmas and save lives

Cancer patients and most scans will also continue at the Royal Free hospital, with patients told they should expect their appointments to go ahead as usual unless they are told otherwise.

Speaking to LBC on Sunday, Mayor Sadiq Khan made a plea to Londoner’s to “follow the rules”.

“We have as many people with Covid now as we did at the peak in April,” he explained.

"Let's pull together," he added, "follow the rules, and let's not overwhelm the NHS."

LBC has contacted NHS London for comment.

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

Gatwick Airport South Terminal evacuated after 'suspicious bag found near train station' as bomb squad called in

Gatwick South Terminal to reopen after bomb scare but passengers still face flight delays and cancellations

London, UK. 22nd November 2024. Police cordon and firefighters on the scene at the Embassy of USA in London following a controlled explosion of a suspicious package. Credit: Vuk Valcic/Alamy Live News

Police say US embassy 'suspect package' was probably a hoax after carrying out controlled explosion

Many Britons again faced freezing temperatures overnight

Brits brace for Storm Bert: Met Office issues amber weather warning for snow - with up to 40cm set to fall

Harshita

'We will never forget you till our last breath': Family of Harshita Brella pay tribute - as manhunt continues for killer

Live
Gatwick airport.

LIVE: Gatwick Airport South Terminal evacuated after 'suspicious item found'

Exclusive
Negative images from Band Aid did 'more bad than good' for Africa, says rapper Fuse ODG

Negative images from Band Aid did 'more bad than good' for Africa, rapper Fuse ODG tells LBC

Gatwick Airport South Terminal evacuated after 'suspicious bag found near train station' as bomb squad called in

Gatwick Airport South Terminal evacuated after 'suspicious bag found near train station' as bomb squad called in

Simone White will be 'sincerely missed', a tribute to her has said

Devastated colleagues pay tribute to British lawyer as Laos ‘methanol mass poisoning’ death toll rises to six

Colette Fairbanks was sacked after sharing ‘offensive’ posts

Brexit views not protected from workplace discrimination, tribunal rules after woman sacked over ‘offensive’ posts

The Metropolitan Police carried out a controlled detonation of a suspect package near the US embassy in London

US Embassy in London on 'lockdown' as police investigate 'suspect package'

Coleen Rooney said her husband Wayne has not been forgiven in the court of public opinion

Coleen Rooney opens up on Wayne's 'difficult' mistakes as she says he hasn't been forgiven in court of public opinion

Many of the victims were staying at the Nana Backpacker Hostel

Laos hostel owner arrested after Brit lawyer becomes fifth tourist to die in 'poisoning'

Holly Bowles, 19, from Melbourne, has died in the ‘methanol mass poisoning’

Sixth person dies in Laos ‘methanol mass poisoning’ as hostel owner detained by police

Exclusive
Feargal Sharkey tests the River Test with LBC

'We're destroying what should be the finest river on Earth': Feargal Sharkey tests the River Test with LBC

Household energy bills will rise again from January

Household energy bills to rise by £21 a year from January in further blow for Brits this winter

Putin issued a chilling threat to the West as he confirmed Russia launched a ballistic missile against Ukraine

'The world must respond': Zelenskyy warns that Putin is 'testing' the West after confirmed use of new ballistic missile