This in from the IW NHS Trust, in their own words. Ed
From next week (from 22nd December) over the winter period some Island patients are to be offered scheduled operations on the mainland by Isle of Wight Trust.
Like many NHS organisations St. Mary’s Hospital has been under significant pressure for a number of weeks with emergency admissions and attendances at the Emergency Department.
This has resulted in beds intended for patients undergoing scheduled operations being used for emergency admissions. The result is a backlog of operations which the Trust is now trying to resolve by offering the opportunity for patients to be treated more quickly by travelling to the mainland.
Transport could be provided
Telephone calls to patients will commence shortly. Patients will be offered a range of local mainland hospitals including some private providers depending on the procedure they require and the capacity at those providers.
Patients who take up this opportunity to reduce their waiting time for an operation and depending on provider may be supported to and from with transport.
Follow-up checks and appointments where required would be with the mainland provider but related treatment following an operation, for example physiotherapy, will be provided on the Island. All patients accepting these services will be informed of any supporting information relating to their ongoing treatment for their return, for example short term equipment needs.
Patient: “Experience went really well”
A patient who recently chose to attend a mainland hospital said that
“The experience went really well. The actual travel was not a problem, it was a very efficient service and really nice surroundings within the hospital, straight forward. There were no problems with returning in January for a follow up as we will make it a day out whilst over there.”
Associate Director of Hospital and Ambulance Services at Isle of Wight NHS Trust, Donna Collins, said:
“As a former nurse I know that waiting for an operation can be a worrying time and that also travelling to the mainland can be difficult. However we need to relieve the pressure on St. Mary’s for emergencies and speed up the treatment of patients who understandably worry during the time they are waiting.
“We have made arrangements with a number of mainland providers – both NHS and private sector – to use their spare capacity and we would encourage patients who are able to take up this opportunity. This will help to ensure that patients are treated more quickly, our backlog of operations is cleared and the pressure is eased on St. Mary’s.”
Image: Digital Cat under CC BY 2.0
