As a result of the ongoing Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, NHS Ayrshire & Arran has taken the decision to cancel new and routine follow-up appointments for outpatient clinics for acute services.

The health service are currently working through cancellations for affected patients – this impacts those with appointments already made for acute specialities up to and including 31 May.

Anyone affected will receive a letter with details of next steps. Dr Crawford McGuffie, Medical Director, said: “This has been a difficult decision and we understand that this will have an impact on large numbers of people who access our services.

"However, this will protect vulnerable groups and enable us to focus resources on tackling coronavirus (COVID-19) in these unprecedented times.

“I ask for the public’s continued understanding that we are making these decisions to better protect citizens from infection and have our frontline staff where they need to be to care for those who need it most.

“Clinicians will review the clinical records of patients with cancelled appointments and consider alternative ways of managing healthcare during this time. This could mean your appointment is offered by telephone or video appointment if suitable.

“Please save the number 0800 678 3393 on your telephone – this is the NHS calling you, so we’d appreciate if you store the number to have confidence to answer at this time.”

Please find detail on specific specialities below:

• Urgent cancer suspected (UCS) – clinicians will make arrangements for UCS patients. Patients will be contacted by telephone or letter advising of next steps.

• Orthopaedics –consultants at both University Hospital Ayr (UHA) and University Hospital Crosshouse (UHC) are reviewing clinical records of fracture and urgent orthopaedic patients and will contact anyone impacted.

New referrals from the Emergency Department at UHA will be seen by an Advanced Nurse Practitioner in the first instance.

Renal – specialist physicians in this area have already contacted those with appointments in the next two weeks and will continue this process for those with appointments in the future.

• Anti-coagulant – clinics for these patients have been rearranged in different locations to those normally offered. Impacted patients will be contacted and advised whether to attend Ayrshire Central Hospital or East Ayrshire Community Hospital.

• Paediatrics – all urgent new referrals are being reviewed. Parents/carers will be contacted with next steps. Clinics will be temporarily relocated to Ayrshire Central Hospital.

• Antenatal – only first visit patients will be invited to attend antenatal clinics, in order to have their booking appointment, booking blood tests, dating ultrasound and first trimester screening. Patient’s notes will be reviewed by consultants/registrars attached to each clinic and arrange further telephone consultations to organise plans for their pregnancy.

• Radiology – all non-urgent appointments are being postponed until further notice.

• Clinical Physiology - all non-urgent appointments are being postponed until further notice