Torbay Hospital has postponed all outpatient activity tomorrow Tuesday 20th March.
Outpatient appointments, non-urgent elective and day case procedures are postponed.
The region remains on alert with a yellow weather warning for ice issued by the met office. the warning is in place from 7pm this evening until 9am tomorrow.
A spokesperson for Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust said on Facebook today: “All outpatient activity for tomorrow (Tues 20 March) is postponed, along with all non-urgent elective and day case procedures. Patients are being advised not to come in for their hospital appointment unless they are contacted directly and asked to do so. Any requests for patient transport should be made on the normal number 01803 656798.
“All urgent and emergency services are running, including our MIUs. Community services staff are making essential visits to vulnerable people in the community, with the support of our volunteer 4×4 drivers. Most GP and pharmacy services are also open, and we are urging people to choose services that best meet their needs – using the #NHSquicker app http://ow.ly/9bsa30j2eOc”
Volunteer 4×4 drivers have been assisting hospital staff with getting to and from work and visiting patients in the community.
Dr Rob Dyer, Medical Director at Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust, said:“I would like to take this opportunity to say a huge ‘thank you’ on behalf of the Trust to the army of volunteers with 4X4 vehicles who have, once again, supported the services in our hospitals and our community teams over the last 24 hours or so. Your help to get staff in to work and home again to rest, as well as taking staff to visit patients in the community, has been invaluable.
“Your support has meant we have been able to continue to provide urgent and emergency care for local people. There is no doubt that we could not have done it without all these volunteer drivers and we, as a Trust, as well as the general public owe you a tremendous amount of gratitude.
“We hope to be able to develop a roster so that those drivers who have been helping are able to rest. It is important to appreciate how tiring driving in these conditions is and we do not think that anyone should be supporting as a driver for more than 12 hours at a stretch. We do not want you to put yourselves or our staff at additional risk.
“Based on the weather forecast, we think it is likely that we will need similar support for another 24 hours. If you are able to help and haven’t already left your details with our hotline please call 01803 654681 or 01803 655782. If we already have your details we will be calling to arrange a roster.
“Once again, many thanks – we truly are grateful for all your support.”
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