Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust is aware that due to the current pressures that the health system is facing, some planned operations may need to be postponed.
This can be really frustrating for patients who are currently awaiting an operation, and anyone who is affected will be given as much notice of any postponement as possible. If you are not contacted, people should assume that their planned operation is going ahead.
Mr Ian Currie, Medical Director, Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust, said: “Along with the rest of the NHS we are seeing an increase in patients admitted to our hospitals with COVID-19.
“Learning from our experience in previous waves of the pandemic, we have detailed plans in place to help us treat these patients, while still providing as much care as we can to those who are waiting for planned operations.
“We are now in a position where we are enacting our plans. This means that we are having to postpone some planned operations. We are doing everything we can to maintain as many planned operations as possible.
“We fully understand that people will be upset and frustrated by this news. We recognise the impact that this may have for those people who are having their treatment delayed. We are contacting those who are affected personally and we are aiming to give people as much notice of any postponement as we can. If you don’t hear from us, please assume that this means your planned operation is going ahead.
“This has not been an easy decision to make – every patient’s care is very important to us. But we have to prioritise those who are most in need of urgent treatment while keeping everyone as safe as possible.”
