Proposals to move elective cancer surgery to The Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital (NNUH) over the winter period will not go ahead.
A paper will go to the Trust’s Board on 18 December detailing options to enable the hospital to run as much of its planned surgical programme as possible over winter while at the same time ensuring the safety and care of patients needing its services in an emergency. However, though the proposal to move some cancer surgery to the NNUH will go as information to the Board it has been deemed not to be viable.
Dr Nick Lyons, Acting Chief Executive, said: “Given the concern this proposal has caused patients and staff, our Chairman, Professor Steve Barnett, and I wanted to provide the community with an update at the earliest opportunity.
“The final paper is still being drafted but all the options it will contain have been developed in consultation with staff and are going through a rigorous Quality Impact Assessment (QIA) process. There was complete consensus that moving elective cancer surgery to Norwich for the period of winter could not be done safely and would not deliver the beds required. “
Other proposals which will go to Board include:
- The creation of a new Assessment Zone in medicine.
- Development of a “23 hour” surgery unit.
The Trust will also continue to implement the important work it already has underway including:
- Management of the “front door”
- Effective discharge at the back door
- Enhancing community capacity for patients who do not need an acute bed.
Any proposals approved at Board will be implemented in a timely fashion to ensure the Trust has the beds it need for patients this winter.
ENDS
To download the press release click here
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