If we need to cancel your appointment, we will contact you directly, so if you do not hear from us, please attend as planned.
Cancer treatments will continue as normal and, at this stage, we have no plans to cancel diagnostic tests.
Elective procedures and appointments due to be carried out in Scunthorpe and Goole will also go ahead as planned.
Chief Operating Officer, Shaun Stacey, said: “I completely understand how frustrating this will be if you or a loved one was due to come into Grimsby for treatment this week and I am very sorry to have had to take this step.
“Your health will always be our top priority and our teams are working extremely hard to provide emergency care to those with the greatest need.
“However, demand for our services has been incredibly high for a sustained period of time and, in order to continue to meet those demands, this was the only option open to us.”
There are also ways in which you can help us to manage the demand on our services and help us to reinstate elective procedures and outpatient appointments as soon as possible.
Mr Stacey added: “If you have a loved one who has been in our care, but you have now been told they’re ready to come home, we’d appreciate it if you could come and collect them as soon as possible.
“No-one wants to be in hospital for longer than they need to be and, when demand for beds is high, it also helps us to ensure that these beds are given to those who need them most.”
The second way you can help is to consider whether you really need to come to our Emergency Departments or is there another way you could get the help you need.
Mr Stacey said: “If there isn’t, then please don’t put off coming. We are still here if you need us.
“However, if you have an urgent medical problem and you’re not sure what to do, please call the NHS 111 line for advice from their specialist clinical team.
“You can also speak to your GP or pharmacist for advice and, if you live in North East Lincolnshire or are registered with a GP in the area, you can call the Single Point of Access (SPA) clinical team on 01472 256256.
“Anyone coming to A&E who doesn’t need urgent emergency treatment is likely to have a long wait, as we will always prioritise seeing patients in the greatest need of our care.
“Once again, I apologise and thank you for your understanding and support.”
