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Bank holiday arrangements at UHMBT

16 September 2022

We stand with those colleagues, patients and members of our communities mourning the death of Her Majesty The Queen.

The Queen’s funeral on Monday 19 September has been declared a national bank holiday, and in line with our colleagues across the UK, we will be standing down some services on that day.

We understand that reducing the activity we provide on that day will have an impact on patients who have been waiting for their appointment and have tried to limit the impact on patients wherever possible. With that in mind:

  • We are prioritising cancer and urgent activities and will also run routine activity where staffing allows
  • We will run a reduced elective (planned) operating schedule at the Royal Lancaster Infirmary and Furness General Hospital

We are very grateful to colleagues who have agreed to come into work so that we can continue to provide urgent treatment to those patients who need it most.

For patients who have planned procedures or outpatient appointments on this day, we will contact you if these need to be rescheduled. We apologise for the disruption to your care, and we will provide you with a new appointment as soon as possible.

Please do let us know as soon as possible if you have not heard from us but cannot make your appointment.

In order to support patients and colleagues to pay their respects, our hospital TV provider Hospedia will provide free TV to patients on Monday 19 September to allow patients to view the funeral and mourn her Majesty’s death with others across the country. We will also show coverage of the funeral on digital screens across our hospital sites.

Colleagues and patients are invited to observe the national moment of reflection on Sunday at 8pm in their own way, whether that be on a ward or in their home or community.

Our chaplaincy team are also on hand for anyone of any faith or none to spend some quiet time in the chapels at Furness General Hospital, Westmorland General Hospital or the Royal Lancaster Infirmary.

Ahead of the bank holiday, please help us help you:

  • If you have an urgent care need over the bank holiday, please don’t wait. Reach out for help by contacting NHS 111 online for urgent medical and dental help
  • Some local pharmacies may have different opening hours during a bank holiday. Please search “find a pharmacy NHS” to find an open pharmacy near you
  • By re-stocking medicine cabinets, knowing when your GP practice is open and planning ahead for repeat prescriptions, you can ensure you have everything you need ahead of the bank holiday weekend
  • You can order your medication using the NHS App, or through your GP practice, which may also have an online service

Aaron Cummins
Chief Executive