United Lincolnshire Hospitals NHS Trust (ULHT) announced this week that all routine elective surgeries were being postponed.
This move is part of their response to the current COVID-19 (coronavirus) outbreak to enable staff to focus on critical patients.
Anna Richards, Communications Officer of United Lincolnshire Hospitals NHS Trust, described elective surgeries as “routine procedures and those scheduled in advance rather than emergency ones”.
This does not include cancer-related surgeries and any other clinically urgent cases, according to ULHT.
The surgeries were due to be carried out in hospitals across Lincolnshire, including Lincoln County Hospital, Boston Pilgrim Hospital and Grantham and District Hospital.
At the time of writing, LSJ News does not have access to the exact numbers of cancelled surgeries, or how long this period of moving those surgeries will last for.
But all patients affected by this move will be contacted by the Trust.
There are currently plans in place to help those affected, once the coronavirus pandemic is under control.
Miss Richards said: “All patients will be retained on our system and their surgeries will be re-booked afterwards”.
Patients could be placed on waiting lists, which vary in length for different specialities.
“They are having to wait a bit longer as there is a pause on their appointment whilst we handle the coronavirus pandemic”.
The ULHT recently revealed that nine patients who have tested positive for coronavirus are being treated at Lincolnshire’s hospitals.
Four people are currently being treated at Boston Pilgrim Hospital and five at Lincoln County Hospital.