Elective surgeries CANCELLED at Dorset County Hospital
The decision's been made due to 'immense pressure' on site
Dorset County Hospital have cancelled all routine elective surgeries for the next few days.
The NHS Trust say the 'difficult decision' has been made so they can 'ensure emergency and urgent cancer surgery' can still go ahead safely.
They've said they're 'continuing to operate under immense pressure' as a result of high demand for the Emergency Department, full wards, rising Covid cases and staffing issues through sickness and self-isolation.
A statement from Dorset County Hospital says:
"We are sorry we have to do this as we understand the impact it has on people due to come in for surgery and we will reschedule as soon as possible.
"We are trying our best to run outpatient appointments as usual, but this is an evolving situation so please bear with us if we have to make short-notice changes due staff absence.
"We will contact anyone affected directly, so if you have not heard from us please attend your appointment as planned."
They've also reassured patients that the 'priority' is restoring services as quickly as possible.
There's also a plea to help reduce the pressure by only attending A&E for serious or life-threatening injuries or conditions.
We're asked to call NHS 111 before visiting the hospital.
People with relatives at DCH who are ready to be discharged are also asked to pick them up promptly, to allow the space to be available for more patients.