Hospitals in England able to relax Covid rules and treat more patients

Hospitals throughout England have been given the green light to ease some of the infection-control measures that have been in place during the pandemic.

 

The changes, which have been recommended by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) are aimed at easing pressure on the NHS.

 

Testing and isolating patients before planned operations can now be dropped and hospitals can return to normal cleaning procedures.  Social distancing can also be reduced from 2m to 1m in some areas.

 

There are currently over five million people waiting for NHS hospital treatment in England and hundreds of thousands of those have been waiting for over a year.

 

Although the government has pledged an additional £5.4bn over the course of the next six months to respond to the backlog, ministers have warned waiting lists could deteriorate before they improve, as more people come forward.

 

Dr Jenny Harries, chief executive of UKHSA, said the new recommendations would help local hospitals plan more elective care. “This is a first step to help the NHS treat more patients more quickly, while ensuring their safety and balancing their different needs for care.”

 

Chadwick Lawrence’s specialist team of clinical negligence lawyers have years of experience in medical negligence claims, providing support and guidance after life-changing events.  Not only do we represent clients in Yorkshire, but because of our reputation we also represent clients nationally.

 

If you believe that you or a relative may have been injured as a result of clinical/medical negligence, please call for free legal advice from our medical negligence solicitors on the freephone number below.

 

Posted by Tony May, Partner/head of Clinical Negligence Department, Chadwick Lawrence LLP (tonymay@chadlaw.co.uk ), medical negligence lawyers and clinical negligence solicitors in Huddersfield, Leeds, Wakefield and Halifax, West Yorkshire.

 

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