Position Statement: Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

25/07/2007

Wednesday July 25 2007

A spokeswoman for the hospitals trust said: "This is a difficult time for all staff but we are all working hard to make sure that we continue to provide the best possible care to our patients. We are conserving water as far as possible but have deliveries arranged and supplies of bottled water."

Trust Chief Executive, Paul Lilley, added a thank you to staff for getting into work, and an appeal to all staff who are able to get to the hospitals to please continue to make it into work. "Our patients are our top priority and we need our staff to continue to provide the best possible care."

Outpatient appointments, elective surgery, day cases All of the above scheduled to take place at Cheltenham General and Gloucestershire Royal Hospital have now been cancelled until Sunday, July 29.
Patients are asked not to come into hospital for an appointment unless they are contacted directly and told otherwise by a member of staff.

The situation will be reviewed again on Sunday.

The free helpline number to call for any queries regarding outpatient appointments is 0800 0193368.

Breast Screening Service

The Breast Screening Service in Cheltenham is now closed and the service from the Stroud and Dursley Mobile Units are still running. This is due to the water shortage which means we are unable to process the x-rays. All affected patients will be receiving another appointment once the current situation improves.

Drinking Water

Drinking water is being delivered to patients and clinical areas by catering staff. Water is also being delivered to the hospitals by bowsers.

A Free Helpline has been set up at the hospitals trust for anyone who has a question about their treatment being cancelled. The Free Helpline number is 0800 0193368.

Laboratory Tests

Also as a precautionary measure, the Trust is also appealing to GPs across the county only to send essential lab tests, as the tests require considerable amounts of water.

For more information please call Alison Short, Communications Specialist, on 08454 223120 or email alison.short@glos.nhs.uk