Urgent and cancer surgery is the priority – medical director
HEALTH & Social Care has apologised to patients who have had surgery cancelled.
Medical director Dr Peter Rabey said he understood the disruption it caused.
‘We are very sorry that elective surgery sometimes has to be postponed.
‘We know it is disappointing and has a knock on effect on family, child care etc.
‘However, HSC has to prioritise urgent and cancer surgery which means elective surgery is most likely to be postponed.
‘The decision to postpone surgery is not something that is taken lightly, but we are still dealing with the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.
‘In addition, there are occasions when it is not possible to carry out elective surgery due to other more critical emergency surgery pressures, a shortage of surgical beds and/or staff absence due to illness.’
Latest statistics show that there are 115 islanders waiting for gynaecological operations.
The area with the highest number of people waiting is in orthopaedics, with 627 on the waiting list.
Gastroenterology, ophthalmology, and general surgery are other areas with high numbers.
There are six young islanders waiting for operations.
