Posted: 13 July 2020

An update on the restoration of non-urgent services as Trust moves into phase two of its coronavirus response

Many of the NHS services that were postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic are now being restored, with more to come over the coming weeks and months as Buckinghamshire moves into the second phase of its COVID-19 response.

While the pandemic is far from over, anyone with non-COVID-19 health concerns is urged to contact their GP surgery or use the NHS 111 service as normal, or call 999 in case of emergency. Every effort is still being taken to ensure patients with coronavirus are treated in separate areas to those with other health concerns.

Along with NHS services nationwide, our main priority over the last few months has been to ensure that the people who need care most urgently get it, whether for coronavirus or for other illnesses or conditions.

In order for this to happen, and to keep the public as safe as possible from unnecessary risk of coronavirus infection, many non-urgent hospital appointments and procedures were postponed. Other appointments have been delivered in a different way – over the telephone, for instance.

We are now working to restore more services and get more people the treatment they have been waiting for. This has to be a steady process, however, as we are still dealing with the coronavirus and need to change the way we deliver services to keep patients and staff safe. For example, as well as wearing protective equipment and testing staff and patients, we also have to control the number of people physically coming to our sites to avoid overcrowding. All of this limits the number of appointments we can deliver face-to-face.

Because we must ensure those in most urgent need of care are seen as soon as possible, we are working to assess patients who are still awaiting treatment and will prioritise those with the greatest clinical need. As a result, waiting times for some patients will still be longer than normal for the foreseeable future.

Neil Macdonald, Chief Executive of Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust, said:  “As I’m sure everyone appreciates, the last few months have been challenging for our hospital and community services. Dealing with the coronavirus and helping anyone requiring urgent treatment for their illnesses or conditions has been our top priority and we are incredibly grateful for the support and understanding we have had from the public, especially those waiting for appointments.

“Now, as we move into phase two of our coronavirus response, we are prioritising those in the greatest clinical need and restoring services in a careful, phased way, so that we can ensure we continue to observe social distancing and prevent the spread of infection. We are still treating patients for coronavirus, and we will continue to see more cases over the coming weeks and months.”

Dr Tina Kenny, Medical Director for Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust, added: “We understand how difficult a time this has been for patients who have had appointments or treatments delayed because of the pandemic and are grateful for the support they have shown their NHS. If anyone who is waiting to be seen should experience a worsening of their symptoms we would urge them to please contact the appropriate hospital team for advice as soon as possible – contact information should be on any appointment paperwork you have. We can then judge whether their situation has become more urgent and make sure they get the right care.

“Patients with other health concerns should continue to use our services. Whether you are experiencing new symptoms or are living with long-term conditions, such as diabetes or heart disease.

“Over the coming weeks, patients will be notified if their appointments are being rescheduled or carried out in a different way. This will probably be the case for many people, and if you are invited for a hospital appointment, please make every effort to attend.”

An update on services:

• A&E – if it is an emergency, please call 999. Otherwise call NHS 111 and you will be given advice and advised to attend A&E if appropriate.
• Most outpatient services are still running virtually but we are increasing the number of face-to-face outpatient clinics for those that need them at Amersham, Brookside and Buckingham Community Hospitals.
• The Community Assessment and Treatment Service has started running again at Amersham.
• Cancer services across the Trust are delivering all urgent work, including surgery, and accepting referrals. Anyone concerned about suspicious symptoms should please contact their GP as soon as possible – the earlier you are diagnosed, the greater the chance of successful treatment.
• Outpatient children’s services are continuing, using non-face-to-face appointments where possible, and inviting patients in when appropriate.
• We have been working in the community to support families who have been isolated at home with children who have complex health conditions.
• Maternity services at Stoke Mandeville Hospital are operating as normal, while Wycombe Birthing Centre is currently open for prenatal and antenatal appointments and will reopen for births from September.