A vital message to Hartlepool people - to tell them hospitals are still there to help

And in a message to the people of the area, they urged anyone needing help to come forward and not ignore the symptoms.

Hospital settings are a different environment because of COVID-19, but still offer the same services as before the pandemic, said the experts.

From cancer diagnostics, treatments and operations, heart attacks, strokes and other ailments, the NHS says it is important that patients do not ignore any symptoms that might require urgent attention.

Chris Wells, Consultant Gastroenterologist from North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust, said that as well as hospitals being open for business, GPs are also open for referrals.

Chris added: “It is important that if you do have any concerns about your health that you contact your health care provider, GPs are open and link into our hospitals where necessary.

“It’s important not to ignore your symptoms – please do come forward.”

Susan Green, Consultant Colorectal Surgeon from Country Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust, said: “Our hospitals have put a lot of measures in place to reduce risk for patients. You will need to wear a mask, and you will need to socially distance.

"We would like to reassure patients that we have made our hospitals as safe as possible – with supplies of PPE, patient and staff testing where appropriate, patient self-isolation prior to elective admission and protected operating theatres and wards.”

Barney Green, Vascular Surgeon at South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust said: “One really worrying thing we have noticed over the past three or four months is the significant number of drop off in people seeking help for urgent conditions.

"I think we can understand why that’s the case, people have been desperately worried about contracting Coronavirus, and we can understand that – but cancer, heart attacks, strokes – these big life limiting conditions are really really important to deal with.

“Don’t ignore the symptoms for fearing getting the virus’.”

“The risk of dying from Covid-19 is far less than that if you ignore your symptoms.”

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