During yesterday both the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital and the Princess Royal Hospital were experiencing an exceptionally high level of demand and as a result steps were made to ensure support for people arriving as emergencies as well as those already in hospital beds.

The Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust took the decision to cancel the majority of surgery and outpatient appointments in the afternoon at the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital so resources could be used on providing care for people with urgent or critical needs.

With services returning to normal the trust today said all patients should assume that their outpatient appointment, procedure or surgery is going ahead unless the hospital has made contact directly.

Dr Caron Morton, local GP and Shropshire Clinical Commissioning Group’s Accountable Officer, said:

“We are working closely with the Hospital Trust to help manage demand. We are committed to ensuring, that despite the pressures, quality patient care is maintained. We are sorry if any patients have had their outpatient appointment or surgery cancelled at the Hospital Trust.

“We are encouraging residents to help us manage this demand by only using A&E for life threatening or serious conditions and illnesses. There are a range of other NHS services available including minor injury units, GP practices, walk in centres and Shropdoc for when your GP practice is closed. Patients can also use their local pharmacies for advice on minor ailments and self care advice.”

Dr Michael Innes, local GP and Chair of Telford and Wrekin CCG, said:

“We know that across the country there are serious pressures on urgent care services. As the local commissioners we are working with the Hospital Trust to understand the pressures on our local urgent care services.

“Both the CCGs and Hospital Trust have acted quickly to manage this demand and are continually monitoring the services to ensure patients have access to safe and quality care. We would like to apologise to any patients who may have experienced any inconvenience during this demand on services.”