Non-urgent planned surgery and outpatient appointments postponed

Some non-urgent planned surgery and outpatient appointments postponed due to the weather

Wye Valley NHS Trust has taken the decision to postpone some non-urgent planned surgery and outpatient appointments due to take place today.

The decision has been taken due to the weather conditions, which is highly likely to result in some staff not being able to get to work and some patients having difficulty attending their appointments.

The Trust is busy contacting patients whose procedures and appointments have been postponed.  Patients due to undergo urgent planned procedures or urgent appointments who have not been contacted should attend as planned.

Health bosses at the Trust have asked that staff having difficulty getting in to work make contact with the managers of their teams or departments as early as possible. The Trust is working with the local 4X4 volunteer group to transport staff where roads are impassable due to snow.

Jon Barnes, chief operating officer at the Trust, said: "We only postpone procedures and appointments as a last resort - we realise the inconvenience this can cause patients and their families.
"However, the weather forecast for today and tomorrow, for Herefordshire and the surrounding areas, means it is sensible for us to reduce routine care and prioritise urgent and emergency care.

"If you work at the Trust and will struggle to get into work tomorrow, March 2, and this weekend, please let us know as early as possible. If you're a patient, we're open for urgent care and treatment, but if your surgery or appointment has been postponed, you will have been contacted.

"If you haven't been contacted, please assume that your procedure will be going ahead as planned."