Bosses at the Northern Care Alliance NHS Trust (NCA), which runs The Royal Oldham Hospital, have warned some services ‘may not be able to go ahead as planned’ on the day of the Queen’s state funeral.
Emergency departments across the trust will however remain open for the bank holiday on Monday.
In a statement, Jude Adams, chief delivery officer for the NCA, said: “Following the announcement that Monday, September 19 will be a bank holiday to mark the funeral of Her Majesty, the Queen, we’ve been working really hard to understand the impact on our four hospitals, community and social care services.
“Our priority will be on maintaining as many patient facing services as possible whilst being realistic that some services may not be able to go ahead as planned. Our emergency departments will remain open for the bank holiday.
“We would like to reassure patients that if their appointment or planned surgery is affected by the bank holiday, they will be contacted by the Trust.
“If patients do not hear from us, they should continue to attend their appointment as planned. However, they should please bear in mind that reduced services on public transport may impact on journeys.”
A letter, sent by NHS England officials on Monday, told health leaders to ensure there was “sufficient” out-of-hours cover as GPs close on Monday.
It also asked for scheduled Covid booster care home visits to be carried out as planned, and “strongly” encouraged clinics due that day to stay open.
A spokesperson for the NHS in England said: “As with any bank holiday, NHS staff will work to ensure that urgent and emergency services, including urgent dental and GP appointments, are available — and patients will be contacted by their local trusts, if necessary, regarding their existing appointments.
“Covid vaccination services, particularly in care homes, are being asked to continue their work given the importance of protecting people ahead of winter and the public should access NHS services in the usual way, including through 111 online or 999 in an emergency.”
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