Historic partnership with independent sector relieves pressure on the NHS in Norwich
A landmark agreement between Norwich and Norfolk University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and Spire Healthcare is enabling hundreds of Norfolk NHS patients with cancer to receive treatment in Spire’s Norwich hospital, allowing Norwich and Norfolk University Hospital to focus on caring for people with COVID-19.
Spire Norwich had not treated patients with cancer in the past, but since the end of March, it has put together a brand new cancer service from scratch to care for local people and support the NHS. In just three weeks, it has seen 500 patients and is carrying out 35-40 operations each week. It has also launched a chemotherapy service which will see 300-350 patients each week.
The partnership between Spire Healthcare and the Trust been made possible under a national agreement, which Spire, alongside the whole of the independent sector, has signed to make its staff, equipment and facilities available to the NHS to help alleviate the pressure caused by the pandemic.
As well as cancer patients, Spire Norwich is providing care for NHS patients who need cardiological treatment and spinal surgery. A midwifery clinic is planned to begin in the next few weeks.
Nayab Haider, Hospital Director at Spire Healthcare, said: “We are very proud to be supporting the NHS during the worst public health crisis seen in decades. Even though tackling the coronavirus is the number one priority, it is so important that people with other urgent health conditions continue to access the treatment they require. We are very pleased that we’re able to play our part in meeting this need.”
Sam Higginson, Chief Executive at NNUH, said: “Our mission is to care for our patients whether they have Covid-19 or other urgent care needs which are unrelated to the pandemic. The support we have received from Spire has been tremendous and we are delighted to be working in partnership to benefit the local community at this difficult time.”
ENDS
Notes to editors:
• Spire Norwich is now providing treatment to both inpatients and outpatients with cancers such as breast cancer, skin cancer and prostate cancer.