A hospital in Birmingham has been forced to postpone planned surgeries as they have been flooded with “very sick patients” who have coronavirus.
NHS England chief Sir Simon Stevens announced on Wednesday that hospitals will now move into their highest level of emergency alert.
This comes as hospitals across England are fearing that they will run out of beds as we have now entered the second coronavirus wave.
Sir Steven said this is “in response to the serious situation ahead,” and warned there has been a “very substantial” rise in “desperately sick patients in hospital” during October.
The NHS England chief warned that the “The facts are clear, we are once again facing a serious situation
The University Hospital Birmingham and the Good Hope Hospital were forced to make this “extremely difficult decision.
A statement reads, “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.”
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