University Hospitals Birmingham Trust has today (Friday 7th November) announced that it has taken the “extremely difficult decision” to cancel all non-urgent procedures, citing the reason as “the significant increase in the number of very sick patients (COVID and non-COVID)” being admitted to hospital.
It is expected that no non-urgent surgeries will take place for at least the rest of November, with the priority being cancer treatments and life-saving care.
The Trust statement in full:
All planned procedures at Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham have been postponed due the significant increase in the number of very sick patients (COVID and non-COVID) admitted to our hospitals as an emergency. Gynaecology procedures at Good Hope Hospital have also been paused.
This is an extremely difficult decision and has not been taken lightly. We know that affected patients will be distressed and upset with this decision, and for this we can only apologise. However, we must ensure that all those needing urgent care are able to access treatment safely.
Cancer treatment and life-saving care will remain our priority. All patients affected by this announcement will be contacted individually to rearrange their postponed surgery.
Questions and answers
Will my surgery be cancelled?
You will only be contacted if your procedure is postponed. If you have not heard from us via telephone or by letter, please assume your procedure will go ahead.
Until the end of November, all non-emergency surgery at Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham will be postponed, however this is reviewed on an on-going basis.
I have concerns about my surgery getting cancelled and I am worried about the impact this decision will have on my health, who can I speak with about this?
If you have any non-urgent concerns about your health, contact the your hospital team or specialist as you usually would. You may also seek advice from your GP.
If you require urgent advice about your health, please contact NHS 111. Always call 999 in a life-threatening emergency.
When will my procedure be re-arranged?
The announcement today means non-urgent procedures are cancelled and this is likely to be in place until the end of November. We want to restore non-urgent surgery as soon as possible and we will do so as soon as it is safe to do so.