PATIENTS on the Isle of Wight are set to be offered treatment in Southampton in the latest bid to ease pressure on St Mary’s Hospital.
All but urgent and emergency operations have been cancelled at the Island’s only hospital, leading Isle of Wight NHS to work with Care UK and Southampton’s NHS Treatment Centre to identify suitable patients who could receive inpatient treatment across the Solent.
Isle of Wight NHS head of operational performance Sarah Hayward said "Patient care is a priority, and the trust is sorry for anyone who is experiencing a delay in receiving their operation.
"Whilst we will be able increase day surgery here at St Mary’s Hospital on the Island, a number of elective surgeries, requiring a stay of one night or more, may be achieved more quickly at the Southampton NHS Treatment Centre, reducing the delay for patients."
Patients choosing to be treated at the Southampton Treatment Centre — which is located in the Royal South Hants Hospital, near Southampton city centre — will have travel costs for the ferry and taxi to and from the centre supported by the NHS Treatment Centre.
The NHS said it would be contacting patients from tomorrow (Thursday), to offer them the chance to choose Southampton treatment.