Major trust in talks with private sector for cancer care

The trust said it was in “early conversations” with private sector providers about its elective work but “no decisions have been made”.

NUH medical director Keith Girling added: “Our staff are working around the clock to prepare for this unprecedented global health threat, including rapidly ramping up treatment capacity for covid-19 patients, at the same time as ensuring that as far as possible others who need urgent treatment — including for cancer — are able to have it.”

NHS England announced last weekend it had block booked almost the entirety of the private hospital sector’s services for the coming months in an unprecedented deal securing 20,000 clinical staff and around 8,000 beds.

NUH also confirmed it was converting its minor injuries area in the Queen’s Medical Centre emergency department to deal solely with covid-19 symptomatic patients and patients arriving at the NUH accident and emergency department would be diverted to the recently procured Nottingham Treatment Centre.

Corrected at 14:56 on 27 March to reflect that NUH has not ceased its cancer work