Winter pressures at Redbridge and Havering hospitals lead to potential delays for non-urgent procedures

Patients could be affected by delays of non-urgent procedures at King George Hospital, Goodmayes and Queen’s Hospital, Rom Valley Way, until January 31, due to winter pressures.

Shelagh Smith, deputy chief operating officer at Barking, Havering and Redbridge University Hospitals said: “To allow us to focus on our most critically ill patients, it may be necessary for us to reschedule some outpatient appointments and non-urgent elective surgeries.

“For now, we would encourage patients to attend their appointments as planned.”

The National Emergency Pressures Panel met on January 2 to activate the new NHS’s Winter Pressures Protocol which includes deferring non-urgent operations.

Shelagh Smith added: “Our staff have been working tirelessly and we thank them for their huge efforts.

“Everyone in our community has a huge role to play, and I would urge everyone to continue thinking very carefully about the right routes to get the right care.

“Please only attend our emergency departments if it is a medical emergency.”