How many people with a recent cancer diagnosis are likely to be affected by the Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust’s decision to stop accepting Welsh patients for elective treatment, over the next 6-12 month period?
Following the unilateral decision by the Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust (CoCH) to stop accepting patients for elective treatment, a protocol was agreed with Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board on 16 April including agreed exceptions. The exceptions included that all patients currently under the clinical care of CoCH would continue to be treated for that condition either as an outpatient or inpatient. All currently accepted referrals would be seen as normal and all current patients would continue to receive appropriate management. All new cancer referrals which meet the criteria for the referral for urgent suspected cancer would also be accepted by CoCH and managed in line with current pathways. No cancer referral has been returned by the CoCH since the 1 April.
My focus during the last month has been in resolving the issue and moving quickly to agree a solution in the best interest of Welsh patients. I made a statement on 10 May reporting cross border arrangements for 2019/20 had been agreed and my expectation that the CoCH will honour the agreement reached and immediately reverse its decision in relation to Welsh patients.