Sherwood Forest Hospitals urges people who suspect they have cancer to seek medical help after huge drop in people attending
and live on Freeview channel 276
In a column written in your Chad this week, a senior GP and cancer expert, revealed that the average number of patients attending showing the early signs of cancer had dropped from around 60 per day to just 25 at the trust – which runs King’s Mill and Mansfield Community Hospitals.
Dr Thilan Bartholomeuz, clinical chair for Newark and Sherwood CCG, wrote: “I am concerned about the drop in people coming to us with symptoms of cancer.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide Ad“As the cancer lead for Nottingham and Nottinghamshire CCG, I see time and time again how catching cancer in its early stages is the best way to minimise illness from it. Most cancers are more easily cured or treated in the earliest stages of the disease. Sadly, diagnosing it later can mean fewer options for treatment and people losing years of their lives.”
David Selwyn, medical director at Sherwood Forest Hospitals, said: “We would like to reassure patients that we are open as usual if you have an emergency or require urgent care, do not hesitate to attend the NHS services as you would normally do so. This remains particularly true if you are a patient with cancer or suspected cancer.
“We have worked hard to minimise the additional risk for people attending our Emergency Department who do not have Covid-19 related illnesses or symptoms and we have also maintained our cancer pathways, accepting referrals with patients undergoing a number of urgent diagnostic procedures despite the pandemic.
“I would echo that it is important not to stay away from the Hospital or other Health Care Services, to go to your GP with any concerns that you have, so that you can get referred quickly, we are here to help 24/7 and you are not adding any burden, as we are here to care for you as usual, please do use our services if you need to.”