Coronavirus: Doncaster and Bassetlaw hospitals bosses concerned fear driving patients away from vital appointments

Bosses at the Doncaster and Bassetlaw Teaching Hospitals, which runs both Doncaster Royal Infirmary and Bassetlaw Hospital, say they are aware of a patients not coming to their appointments – sometimes for quite crucial things – since the current crisis over coronavirus began.

A spokesman said that some of this may be down to correct self-isolation but added that in other cases some individuals don’t want to come to the hospital given the current climate.

A spokesman said: “We are advising patients to attend their appointments at the hospital, unless contacted and told otherwise. The same is true if they need to access our urgent and emergency care services.”

Bosses have also repeated advice on visting people who are currently in-patients at its hospitals.

Richard Parker OBE, chief executive at Doncaster and Bassetlaw Teaching Hospitals, said: “Please support your local hospitals and do not visit any inpatient friends, family and loved ones if you are feeling unwell or suspect that you have been in contact with anyone who may have Coronavirus - the signs and symptoms include a continuous cough or a temperature exceeding 37.8 degrees Celsius.”

He added: “If you are well enough to visit, you must wash your hands when entering and leaving the ward or clinical area, after any patient contact and when you get home.”