Some non-urgent treatment clinics cancelled at Northampton General Hospital as Covid-19 admissions increase

A number of outpatient clinics have been cancelled this week at Northampton General Hospital as Covid-19 admissions increase, a hospital boss has confirmed.

Today (November 20), there are 133 people with Covid-19 in Northamptonshire’s hospitals, which is an increase of 17 from last week.

As the ‘steady increase’ of Covid-19 admissions is expected not to peak until next week, hospital bosses have had to take the decision to cancel some non-urgent and non-cancer related outpatient treatments.

Speaking at the weekly Northamptonshire Covid-19 press briefing, Deborah Needham from the acute trusts, confirmed that more clinics may also have to be put on hold in the coming weeks.

Ms Needham said: “We are seeing a steady increase in admissions due to Covid and we don’t expect that will peak until probably next week.

“As you are aware we have been determined so far to continue with our planned care with a focus on cancer and urgent treatments.

“This week however we have had to postpone a number of outpatients clinics, at Northampton General specifically and I would just like to let everybody know that that may continue or even increase over the next few weeks as we start to get busier in both hospitals.

“My main message on this part is if we do have to postpone your appointment then we will contact you directly. If you don’t hear from us please do attend your appointment as originally planned.”

As the hospitals, specifically the A&E departments, hit busier periods during winter, the hospital boss was also keen to ask the public to think carefully about the medical help they seek.

Ms Needham added: “Our winter planning we have in place allows us to increase our capacity and we will do that as we go through winter so the message there is if you need us we are here for you.

“I would just like to remind the public that our A&Es are here for urgent and immediately life threatening cases so please other avenues if you possibly can.

“It’s important that you choose wisely in regards to seeking medical help, so consider the alternatives such as NHS 111, contact your GP, get some advice or support from local pharmacies as and when you need that.

“A&E is for urgent patients and life threatening patients only.”

Find out more about what happened at this week’s Covid-19 press briefing here.

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