SOUTHEND Hospital has announced it is temporarily cancelling non-urgent operations and remains on 'black alert'.

The hospital said it has taken the measure following a review meeting because it is continuing to deal with a higher than usual number of acutely ill patients requiring hospital beds.

The executive team and lead clinicians at the hospital say they have agreed to cancel non-emergency operations over the next 24 hours. This is part of a wider range of measures being undertaken at the trust to safely manage the issues and make beds available to admit very unwell patients from the emergency department.

Emergency and cancer-related operations will carry on.

Jon Findlay, chief operating officer at Southend Hospital, said: “We are extremely sorry that we have had to postpone some patients’ operations this week. The hospital has been incredibly busy and in these circumstances we have to prioritise the most urgent patients.

“Cancelling non-emergency operations will help us to free up beds as well as doctors, nurses and other staff who have been redeployed to areas of the hospital that are experiencing the greatest challenges.

“We do appreciate that it is very inconvenient for appointments and operations to be postponed. I would like to apologise to any patient who has been affected by these circumstances and thank everybody for their understanding and support in ensuring we can continue to provide the best quality of care to those patients with the greatest need.

“The position is under constant review and our teams are working extremely hard to help us get back on track and resume normal operating which we hope to do in the next few days.”

Sue Hardy, acting chief executive, said “Like most other trusts across Essex and the wider region, we are seeing a surge in acutely unwell patients coming into hospital and needing to be admitted.

“Our staff are working extremely hard to cope with the current pressures while maintaining high standards of care, and I’d like to thank them for their commitment during this difficult period.”