Despite the Bank Holiday for the Queen's funeral, many NHS services will continue to operate to minimise the disruption to patients across the North East.
"Most hospital appointments", Covid-19 and flu vaccine appointments are set to go ahead - though the Bank Holiday will require some appointments to be re-arranged. All of the North East's hospitals are working to ensure "as many services as possible" continue.
Some GPs surgeries are set to close, but NHS England has told local health service bosses to ensure out-of-hours services are in place - Dr Ursula Montgomery, NHS England's director of primary care, wrote: " [Integrated Care Boards] will need to urgently work to ensure sufficient out-of-hours (integrated urgent care) services capacity is in place during what would have been core hours to meet patient’s urgent primary medical care needs."
In the North East, medical director for the North East and North Cumbria ICB Dr Neil O'Brien said: "Monday will be a difficult and emotional day for many of us as we pay our respects to Her Majesty, and the NHS will be there to support people who need our care. The Queen’s funeral on Monday 19 September will be a national bank holiday, and our NHS organisations are working hard to maintain as many services as possible to minimise any impact on patients, and prioritising cancer and urgent activity."
Patients are asked to attend appointments on Monday unless they have been informed otherwise - and to cancel if they can no longer attend. Patient transport services will still be available "where urgently needed". Regional NHS bosses have also said that, while "most GPs" are set to be closed, support will still be available through 111.nhs.uk or through normal out-of-hours services.
Many pharmacies will be closed or open reduced hours - so the public is reminded to check they will not run-out of repeat prescription medications on the day. Dr O'Brien added: "We are here for you if you need us, but emergency care services are already very busy. If you need healthcare, please use 111 online services or your practice's out of hours service first, and help us keep A&E for people who need it most."
Highlighting the bereavement service, available at signpostnenc.co.uk, Dr O'Brien said: "Monday will be a difficult day for many people, but especially so if you have recently been bereaved. Staff and patients in our region's hospitals are invited to observe the national moment of reflection in their own way, whether that be on a ward or in their home or community."
At the Newcastle Hospitals NHS Trust, a note on its website said: "The Queen’s funeral will take place on Monday 19 September, and that this day has been declared a national Bank Holiday. This may mean that some appointments cannot take place as planned. If you have an appointment on Monday, we will contact you if this needs to be rearranged. If you do not hear from us, please assume that your appointment or procedure will go ahead as planned.
"Our teams are working hard to contact all patients affected by telephone in the first instance, but we do know some telephone numbers are not up-to-date. If you do have an appointment with us on Monday – and are not sure your contact details are up to date or whether you should come in – you can always ring the number provided on your appointment letter or our appointments line on 0191 282 4444 to check."
Chemotherapy, radiotherapy and dialysis appointments will continue to run as normal.
And in Northumbria Healthcare, the trust said: "We join in mourning the loss, but also want to honour our commitment to providing high-quality and timely care to patients. Many patients are already booked into the system for Monday, so outpatient appointments, planned operations and other tests and procedures will be going ahead wherever feasible.
"If you do not hear anything, please assume that your appointment or procedure will go ahead on Monday. However, there may be situations where appointments cannot take place as planned and if this is the case, you will be contacted by us. If you are unable to attend or have any other queries, please contact the number provided on your appointment letter or our appointments line on 0344 811 8118."
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