Peterborough hospital trust agrees deal with private healthcare firm to treat cancer patients during crisis

North West Anglia NHS Foundation Trust and Ramsay Health Care UK have forged an agreement where the Trust’s surgeons will undertake breast, gynaecological and urological cancer surgery at the Fitzwillliam Hospital in Bretton, Peterborough.

Patients will also undergo their recovery at the Fitzwilliam Hospital.

Over the coming weeks, other cancer operations will be performed at the Fitzwilliam Hospital.

Caroline Walker, Chief Executive of North West Anglia NHS Foundation Trust, said: “This is incredibly good news for our patients. While we are having to prioritise the treatment of patients suffering from Coronavirus, this arrangement means our surgeons can continue to carry out urgent cancer operations at the Fitzwilliam Hospital.

“These patients can recover at Fitzwilliam Hospital, thus ensuring beds at our hospital sites are available for an expected rise in patients needing care and treatment for the Covid-19 infection. This move also frees some capacity for us to perform more complex urgent surgery for non-Covid-19 patients. I would like to thank the Ramsay Health Care team for being so supportive during the current health emergency.”

Lynne Nelson, Operations Manager at Ramsay Health Care UK, said: “I know I speak on behalf of all our staff when I say we are very proud to be able to help in such a challenging situation. Our staff have undergone training to assist on the ward and are ready to go. We are happy to help for as long as we are needed and are ready to receive the first patients this week.”