Hospital appointments and non-urgent surgical procedures across Greater Manchester on the day of Queen Elizabeth II's funeral next Monday are expected to be hit by cancellations, health bosses have said.
But they confirmed planned surgeries for 'urgent cases' were still expected to go ahead on the day. It follows reports that some NHS trusts have already cancelled elective and non-urgent hospital surgeries on Monday, September 19 - a bank holiday - with letters sent to patients already frustrated by long hold delays as waiting lists hit record highs nationally.
NHS bosses in Greater Manchester told the Manchester Evening News that affected patients would be 'contacted by telephone or post to reschedule their hospital appointment or procedure as soon as possible', saying the 'impact on services' was still being assessed.
NHS hospitals in England have been urged to contact all patients with appointments on Monday, whether or not their appointment has been postponed.