Hospital manages unprecedented demand for services

Chelsea and Westminster Hospital has experienced an unprecedented level of demand for services. This was largely as a result of high levels of patients requiring intensive care facilities including patients with flu symptoms.

The Trust has taken swift and effective action to manage this unprecedented demand:

• Elective surgery for patients who may require postoperative critical care is being reviewed on a case-by-case basis
• A limited number of routine, planned operations will continue to be carried out within the constraints of the current demands on the hospital
• Day surgery will continue to be carried out
• St Mary Abbots Ward has been reopened and is being used for patients who are medically fit to be discharged from hospital but who are going through a period of assessment or rehabilitation
• The hospital has restricted visiting arrangments for inpatient areas

We apologise to any patients whose operations have been cancelled or who have been waiting for longer than usual in A&E—we are doing everything possible to maintain the quality of those services that we are able to provide at this time.

Advice on flu for patients and visitors If you are concerned that you may have flu, please stay at home and limit your contact with others.

If you need medical advice, contact your GP or NHS Direct on 0845 4647 or at www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk rather than coming to our A&E Department.

• Flu advice for visitors to Chelsea and Westminster