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COVID-19 - update on services at Oxford University Hospitals

15/01/2021
This article is more than three years old.

This article is from 15 January 2021 - the situation may change with time.

The NHS both locally in Oxfordshire and nationally is experiencing huge challenges as COVID-19 rates in our communities continue to rise.

The number of COVID-19 positive patients requiring treatment in our hospitals in Oxford and Banbury has increased significantly in recent weeks.

Our staff are currently caring for twice the number of COVID-19 positive patients than at the peak of the first wave of coronavirus in Spring 2020.

This has led to pressures on beds on our wards and in intensive care, operating theatres, and staffing levels.

We are redeploying some staff to work in areas where COVID-19 positive patients are being treated and working closely with our partners in the Oxfordshire health and care system, and further afield.

In order to meet this challenge, we are focusing on urgent and emergency care for both COVID and non-COVID patients, as well as urgent cancer care.

  • We are postponing all routine inpatient and day case elective surgery on all of our hospital sites.
  • We are still admitting patients in need of urgent surgery that cannot be delayed, including cancer patients.
  • Where possible, outpatient clinics are continuing on our hospital sites in Oxford and Banbury and in the community but our capacity is reduced, due to the issues outlined above, and so there will be unavoidable postponements of some outpatient appointments.
  • We will continue to see urgent referrals and 2 Week Wait cancer referrals.
  • Our diagnostic services are currently operating as normal.
  • We are asking GPs to continue to refer patients to OUH in the usual way, as we are not closed to GP referrals.

Sara Randall, Chief Operating Officer at Oxford University Hospitals, says:

"These measures are necessary so that our staff can prioritise the care of the sickest patients and maintain safe patient care during this unprecedented time for the NHS both locally and nationally.

"We appreciate how frustrating this will be for patients affected and we would like to apologise to them. We know that many people waiting for treatment will be disappointed or worried, and we are contacting everyone affected.

"We have not taken this decision lightly and would like to reassure our patients that we are taking all necessary steps to try to keep any disruption to an absolute minimum.

"We would like to thank our communities for your support and understanding at this hugely challenging time."

Patients affected will be contacted as soon as we are able to reschedule their planned surgery - patients will be rescheduled according to clinical need and length of wait.

Sam Foster, Chief Nursing Officer at Oxford University Hospitals, says:

"Please help us to help you by following the lockdown rules in order to protect your local NHS, choose the right healthcare service for your needs, and help us to support your loved ones when they're ready for discharge from hospital."

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