Published on 14 August 2020
Cheshire & Merseyside Cancer Alliance and NHS organisations across the region are reassuring people that it is safe to attend hospital for cancer tests and treatment during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
Healthcare professionals are urging people who have been referred to hospital with symptoms of possible cancer not to skip their appointments for vital tests and treatment. They are concerned that if people delay coming to hospital, they may end up being diagnosed with advanced cancer that is less treatable.
Hospitals across Cheshire & Merseyside have put measures in place to keep people safe during their appointments, including dedicated ‘COVID-secure’ facilities. Social distancing and rigorous precautions are in place, alongside extra cleaning regimes.
Innovative ways of testing and treating cancer have reduced the need for people to come to hospital as often, including video consultations and delivering the same dose of radiotherapy in fewer sessions.
Hospitals are also working together to make sure that people with cancer have any tests, surgery and treatment they need in a timely way. Cheshire & Merseyside Cancer Alliance is leading and coordinating this work which includes a surgical cancer hub.
Dr Ash Bassi, Diagnostic Lead for Cheshire & Merseyside Cancer Alliance and a Consultant gastroenterologist at St Helens and Knowsley Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, said: “I see people with cancer every day. The earlier it’s diagnosed, the easier it is to treat. Hospital specialists are very skilled at assessing referrals and prioritising those with the most urgent clinical needs. If a hospital has invited you for cancer tests or treatment, it’s really important that you do attend.”
Dr Liz Bishop, Senior Responsible Officer for Cheshire & Merseyside Cancer Alliance and Chief Executive of The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre NHS Foundation Trust, said: “Hospitals have taken every precaution to keep patients and staff safe. We’re very concerned that people could be putting their health at greater risk by delaying contacting their GP with symptoms and not attending hospital for cancer tests or treatment.”
Do not attend and please cancel your appointment if you have any COVID-19 symptoms. The main symptoms are:
- A high temperature
- A new continuous cough
- A loss or change to their sense of smell or taste.
If you have any of those symptoms, you should:
- Get a COVID-19 test as soon as possible - visit 111.nhs.uk for more information or call 119 to book a test
- Stay at home and don’t have visitors until you get your test result - only leave your home to have a test.
- Do not go to places like a GP practice, hospital, or pharmacy.