Hospital appointments and non-urgent surgical procedures across Greater Manchester on the day of Queen Elizabeth II's funeral next Monday are expected to be hit by cancellations, health bosses have said. But they confirmed planned surgeries for 'urgent cases' were still expected to go ahead on the day.
It follows reports that some NHS trusts have already cancelled elective and non-urgent hospital surgeries on Monday, September 19 - a bank holiday - with letters sent to patients already frustrated by long hold delays as waiting lists hit record highs nationally.
NHS bosses in Greater Manchester told the Manchester Evening News that affected patients would be 'contacted by telephone or post to reschedule their hospital appointment or procedure as soon as possible', saying the 'impact on services' was still being assessed.
NHS hospitals in England have been urged to contact all patients with appointments on Monday, whether or not their appointment has been postponed. Health chiefs here, however, said patients who don't hear anything should attend their hospital appointments as planned.
Some hospitals have said they will be operating as usual, while others have said that they will postpone some non-urgent appointments.
Health bosses, meanwhile, have been told they need to make sure patients can access care if GPs close on the day of the Queen's funeral.
NHS England has written to local and regional leaders saying that, while GP services will be able to close on the bank holiday, there needs to be 'sufficient' out-of-hours care for patients. It also asked for scheduled Covid booster care home visits to be carried out as planned and 'strongly' encouraged clinics due that day to stay open.
A separate letter sent to ICB leaders and NHS trust chief executives warns there may be higher levels of missed appointments or cancellations, which could impact on elective care and clinics over the mourning period and funeral day.
A spokesperson for the NHS in England said: "As with any bank holiday, NHS staff will work to ensure that urgent and emergency services, including urgent dental and GP appointments, are available — and patients will be contacted by their local trusts, if necessary, regarding their existing appointments.
"Covid vaccination services, particularly in care homes, are being asked to continue their work given the importance of protecting people ahead of winter and the public should access NHS services in the usual way, including through 111 online or 999 in an emergency."
NHS England said it was up to individual trusts to tailor plans based on staffing.
The M.E.N. asked individual NHS trusts in Greater Manchester for comment on what plans were in place, what surgeries or appointments could be affected and an estimation of how many patients could be impacted.
Bolton NHS Foundation Trust has a statement posted on its website, saying: "As Monday 19th September will be a national bank holiday due to the funeral of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, some changes may be made to appointments. If this affects your appointment, we’ll contact you as soon as possible to rearrange."
NHS Greater Manchester Integrated Care is the name of the new statutory NHS organisation. From July, it's been responsible for the allocation of, and accounting for, NHS resource and employs staff from all 10 of the former Greater Manchester Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs). All emergency care services like A&E departments will remain open.
Steve Dixon, chief delivery officer at NHS Greater Manchester Integrated Care, said, on behalf off all trusts here, : "We're working with NHS organisations in Greater Manchester, as in other parts of the country, to understand the impact on services following the announcement of Monday 19 September as a bank holiday to mark the funeral of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.
"Affected patients will be contacted by telephone or post to reschedule their hospital appointment or procedure as soon as possible. Planned surgery for urgent cases is expected to go ahead. If you don’t hear anything, please attend as normal. Please bear in mind that reduced services on public transport may impact on journeys.
"We realise this may be worrying for those waiting for hospital care. While You Wait ( whileyouwait.org.uk ) has details of extra support plus advice on how to manage physical and mental wellbeing.
"Emergency care services will remain open for the bank holiday and NHS 111 is there for anyone who is feeling unwell. It's available by phone or online for expert advice and to ensure you are directed to the right service."
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