Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trust has said it is "working hard" to get through a large backlog of patients left behind during the Covid-19 pandemic.
With Covid-positive patient numbers continuing to fall, the trust says it has been working to restore vital non-Covid services to the community to reduce the backlog.
But it has seen an increase in the number of people coming through their hospital's emergency departments and urgent care centres, and these services are now as busy as before the Covid-19 pandemic, meaning the waiting lists for treatment has built up.
Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trust
In a statement from the chief executive of Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trust, Ben Travis said he they were aware that this had meant a number of patients have been experiencing long waits for treatment for planned care in south east London.
"With the number of Covid-positive patients at our hospitals continuing to fall, we’ve been working hard to restore vital non-Covid services for our local communities," said Mr Travis.
“We know that a number of patients are experiencing long waits for treatment for planned care and we’re working to reduce the backlog as quickly as we can, while continuing to manage the need for urgent and emergency care."
Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trust chief executive Ben Travis
"We are carrying our regular reviews of our waiting lists and prioritising care based on clinical need – to ensure that the people who need it most get the care that they need."
The NHS trust, which runs Queen Elizabeth and Lewisham hospitals, said all outpatient services are up and running, and they are putting on additional outpatient clinics where possible to help with the demand.
Extra theatre sessions and endoscopy clinics are also being provided as the trust aims to reduce the backlog of planned care patients whilst continuing to prevent the spread of Covid-19.
“We are contacting patients who have had the longest waits for treatment and we will continue to work with our partners and to review our waiting lists, in line with national guidance.
“Of course, the threat of Covid hasn’t gone away, so it’s vital that we all continue to follow the guidelines around infection, prevention and control."
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