University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Foundation Trust is postponing all non-urgent surgical operations at the Royal Lancaster Infirmary (RLI) from today Monday 11th January.
The Trust is reluctantly postponing appointments for planned non-urgent surgical procedures (operations at the hospital) due to the current pressure facing the hospital, and in particular the Intensive Care Unit, because of increasing numbers of patients with COVID-19.
A similar measure was put in place at Furness General Hospital at the end of last week.
Outpatient appointments will be unaffected, as will appointments for patients who require clinically urgent operations or procedures, such as surgery as part of their cancer treatment.
Dr Shahedal Bari, Medical Director, said: "It is with a heavy heart that we take this action as we know that many people have waited patiently for their appointments following the postponement of some services at the start of the pandemic. However, it is essential that we ensure we have the right amount of beds and staff to safely care for our sickest patients.
"It isn't a decision we have taken lightly and we apologise to all those affected. Our clinical teams are currently reviewing all patients awaiting a non-urgent procedure to assess whether the risk is greater to those people if their appointment is postponed.
"If we do need to postpone your appointment, we will contact you directly. If you are not contacted and have an appointment with us for a procedure, operation or outpatient appointment, please do keep it. We have put a number of measures into place to ensure that our services are safe so please do keep your appointments, unless we contact you.
"We will reschedule the appointments we postpone as soon as we are able to do so whilst keeping those patients that need critical care safe."
"Please do not attend if you have any symptoms of coronavirus such as a persistent cough, a fever or a loss or change in your taste or smell, but stay at home.”
Guys Thatched Hamlet closes suddenly after 46 years
Teenager spared jail for causing death of newborn child in Morecambe
Morecambe Town Council agrees budget and 2.46 per cent rise in Council tax share
Builders of new Lancaster housing development offer £2k cash pot to community groups
Lancaster centre welcomes mayor for opening of new community kitchen
Lancaster shop to close as high street gaming chain faces administration
Jim Bentley returns for second spell as Morecambe FC manager
Ashvir Singh Johal’s reign as Morecambe manager comes to an end
Lancaster writer's ghost story of Morecambe to be voiced by acting legend on Radio 4
Change of name announced for popular Morecambe bar
Opening announced for new Morecambe bistro inside former post office
Health watchdog report shows improvements to services at Royal Lancaster Infirmary
LISTEN: How Leo's Gym is making a difference in memory of young Morecambe boxer
LISTEN: Lancaster set to celebrate Chinese New Year
Lancaster’s Vue Cinema under new ownership
Lancaster city centre car park to close ahead of "catalyst for the development of the Canal Quarter"
Crews tackle commercial building fire in Lancaster
Heritage plaque to mark first Lancaster University site and Gillow factory
Heysham men appear in court in connection with death of cyclist in Morecambe
Fundraiser launched for Heysham family who lost everything in house fire
