Two weeks ago we made the decision to stop most of our routine outpatient appointments, including face-to-face and over the phone.

This was done to protect our patients, both with and without Covid-19, and also enabled us to use the time to train additional clinical teams who are not specialists in respiratory illness, so we can be as prepared as possible and provide the best care we can, as we treat more patients with Covid-19.

We have reviewed this decision, and will continue to re-arrange and postpone most face-to-face outpatient appointments until Friday 1 May, when we will review the situation again.

We will continue to conduct phone ‘hot clinics’ where possible; these were set up for patients who need to urgently speak with a doctor, or require immediate treatment, to ensure they get the care they need.

Maternity appointments are still continuing as normal. We appreciate this is an unsettling time for expectant mothers, however our midwives are still on-hand to provide support and we have set up a 24-hour helpline they can call if they are unsure whether to attend their appointment, or need any advice, the number to call is 01708 503 742.

On Friday 3 April, we also provided an update on cancer treatments and the changes we have made to ensure one of our most vulnerable groups of patients will continue to get the best treatment possible in the safest environment, and in line with national guidance.

You can read more about this here.