Sandie praises local NHS efforts to tackle Covid backlog

She was on BBC Radio Cambridgeshire this morning and told Breakfast presenter Dotty McLeod that NHS teams were working as hard as possible to see people.

Sandie acknowledged the rising workload on local GPs and hospitals and that some staff have not taken leave since before the pandemic.

"It’s really sad to hear how hard people are working. We know that everyone in the NHS is working absolutely as hard as they can to clear the backlog.

“People are having to wait longer for outpatient appointments, diagnostics, x-rays and scans so there are delays throughout the system."

Asked if she had faith that things would improve, Sandie confirmed that recovery plans were in place.

"Those in greatest need are getting priority so it does mean some people will wait longer," she explained.

Sandie called on health providers to give clear information about what patients can expect. And urged local people to make sure they know what to do and who to contact if their health deteriorates.

She also praised the inventiveness of the local healthcare system to meet the unprecedented demand on services.

The first of five new wards to boost capacity at Addenbrooke's Hospital has just opened to patients waiting for care support to go home.  The ward frees up space in the main hospital for sicker patients and those needing operations.

Listen again to Sandie at about 01.17.40 into the show.

Read more about the new Addenbrooke's wards on the CUH website https://www.cuh.nhs.uk/news/first-of-five-new-hospital-wards-opens-to-patients/