Regular readers of VB will remember that over the last couple of months St Mary’s Hospital in Newport has been under incredible pressure.
They had to postpone many operations due to extreme pressure on health care services throughout December and January but have been working hard to everything back on track.
Despite their best efforts, we heard yesterday that it is still necessary to bring in extra help and well done to the team there for recognising this and taking the proactive approach.
It’s estimated that roughly 130 patients won’t be seen within the ’18 week target’ unless an alternative is found.
Over the next week hospital managers will be contacting a number of patients – not just those whose operations were cancelled during December and January – to offer them treatment at hospitals in Southampton and Portsmouth.
Sheila Paul, Chief Operating Officer for NHS Isle of Wight, comments: ”
For the hospital ‘winter pressures’ don’t stop because the snow has gone. We are now under great pressure to clear the backlog caused by the weather and we are appealing to Islanders to take up the offer of treatment in Southampton and Portsmouth to help us ensure that patients are treated within 18 weeks and get their operation done as quickly as possible. We are grateful for the understanding patients have shown during this very busy winter period.”
The patients selected for this initiative will depend on the type of operation they require and whether they can be matched with the operating capacity in Portsmouth and Southampton. Typically the type of case involved will be a day surgery case because this does not involve an overnight stay on the mainland. Patients will receive a telephone call from the Referral Support Centre at St. Mary’s Hospital to discuss the option with them.
Mrs Paul continued:
“We know from the work ICM did in summer 2008 and published in December last year that a significant number of people on the Island are prepared to travel to the mainland for healthcare when it is required. Although we want to maintain as many services on the Island as possible this is one occasion when we need those people who are able to travel to the mainland to take up that option if it is offered to them.”
Image: Auntie P
