In my last column, we shared the positive news of a recent Maternity Survey which showed that progress had been made within our maternity services at both hospitals.
I am further delighted to report this week that we have recently welcomed our new Director of Midwifery Annemarie Lawrence and Divisional Director of Nursing Julie Plant to the Trust. Bringing with them a wealth of experience, they will join our teams in improving and enhancing the care we offer to women and families in our communities. Furthermore, I am looking forward to welcoming our new Consultant Midwife Fiona McCarron who will be joining us at the end of the month too.
Our tongue-tie assessment clinic, which had been suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic, also recommenced at the Princess Royal Hospital in Telford last week. The specialist assessment clinic provides support to mothers and babies, where the baby may have a suspected tongue tie. A tongue tie (ankyloglossia) is where the skin joining a baby’s tongue to the bottom of their mouth is shorter than usual, which can lead to difficulties with breastfeeding.
Women’s health in our communities is extremely important and there is still time to have your say in a survey to shape services in the future. The survey, which takes about 15 minutes to complete, hopes to establish how we can make it easier for women across the county and Mid Wales to get advice on their health. It closes on Friday 11 March.
The aim of the survey is to find out what women living locally know about cancer screening and the menopause. I would urge all women to take part in the survey – the first of its kind in county and Mid Wales. The link for the survey is available at www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/Women22v.
COVID restrictions in certain settings are to end tomorrow after an announcement by the Prime Minister earlier this week.
Throughout the pandemic we have asked those visiting hospital settings to wear face coverings and abide by social distancing guidance. We care for the most vulnerable in our communities and ask you all to still follow this guidance to ensure that we keep our colleagues, patients and visitors safe. The requirement to wear face coverings in our hospitals continues to be the case unless you are exempt. Thank you for your support.
Finally, it is regrettable, but we have had to pause a very limited number of non-urgent services at our hospitals to allow us to meet the most urgent needs of those we care for.
This decision, which is under constant review, is due to the intense pressure our hospitals continue to experience due to the exceptionally high levels of demand for the services that we provide, as well as the ongoing impacts from COVID-19. There are also ongoing issues with regards to discharging medically fit patients.
Urgent services, including cancer, and time-critical procedures continue during this time and everybody who has not been contacted is asked to attend their appointment.
We are very sorry for those impacted by this and we would like to assure you that, despite the challenges faced and some changes to non-urgent appointments, essential services remain fully open for anyone who needs them so if you require urgent medical help, please continue to come forward.