Colorectal moves to support COVID and winter planning
As part of our preparations for winter and continued response to the pandemic, some colorectal services have transferred from St Mark’s Hospital to Central Middlesex Hospital (CHM).
The moves are temporary and have been led by clinicians from St Mark’s. They are designed to ensure that patients continue to receive the highest standards of care.
CMH is a COVID-protected site and by moving colorectal services vulnerable patients will be able to continue with their care pathways.
The move will create at least 50 more beds at Northwick Park. These will be used for emergency admissions, improving bed availability and relieving pressure on the Emergency Department, one of the busiest in London.
The extra beds will also help protect elective surgery at Northwick Park that includes the most complex colorectal operations.
Martin Kuper, Medical Director, says: “The NHS is facing a challenging winter as it works to ensure safe access to healthcare services while, at the same time, responding to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
"By moving colorectal services to CMH, a COVID-protected site, we can limit the number of planned operations that are postponed when demand for urgent care increases.
The move also gives patients and staff access to the excellent facilities at CMH which had a £60m rebuild in 2006.”