PRESS RELEASE: JUNE 2020
Cancer patients in the West Midlands have been able to have vital surgery during the Covid-19 crisis, thanks to a partnership between a private hospital and NHS England.
Burcot Hall in Bromsgrove, which normally primarily carries out cosmetic and bariatric procedures, is supporting NHS England by providing its facilities and staff on a not-for-profit basis, allowing dozens of cancer operations to go ahead.
The hospital has so far treated more than 40 cancer patients, whose operations would otherwise have been postponed.
Tony Veverka, CEO of Transform Hospital Group, which runs the hospital, said: “Burcot Hall normally carries out elective surgeries, which have rightly been stopped during the coronavirus pandemic. The hospital was therefore primed and ready to help other patients, and well placed to offer a ‘Covid-free’ environment where it is much safer to carry out surgery.
“Our clinicians and medical teams were very keen to play their part to support the NHS through this crisis, and we quickly established a partnership with our health service colleagues to help patients with urgent surgical needs, such as those with cancer diagnoses.
“Using the appropriate PPE, testing, and hygiene and cleaning procedures, we are able to help patients to proceed with vital surgery, avoiding any delay in their treatment. It is an honour to be able to work with the NHS to care for them.”
Tony Veverka continued: “The feedback from NHS patients has been very positive, with 100% of those who responded saying that they were happy with our facilities, staff, care and overall experience. It is very rewarding to be able to support them at such a difficult time.
“We hope to maintain our partnership with the NHS as it begins to resume elective procedures, to help manage the backlog of surgeries from the past few months and continue to play our part in the nation’s fight against Covid-19.”