Hospitals and GPs cancel appointments after 'beast from the east' stretches NHS services

Snow and ice adds to pressure on hospitals which have already faced record disruption this winter

Snow falls in Shawlands, Glasgow, as wintry conditions have caused more misery for travellers overnight (Lucinda Cameron/PA Wire)

Hospitals and GP practices have cancelled operations and non-urgent appointments as staff struggle to make it in and services are stretched by heavy snowfall from the "beast from the east".

In some areas staff were told to go to work at their closest hospital - even if it was not where they normally work.

Operations and planned care were cancelled in Lincolnshire and Kent. In some places, discharging patients proved a problem because of problems with patient transport systems.

The postponements come on the back of Government sanctioned cancellations over Christmas as the NHS was advised to put non-urgent care on hold to contend with an increase in seasonal pressures.

Some of this week's delays will mean that patients will have a longer wait and make it harder for NHS bosses to hit strict waiting time and savings targets mandated by Government.

Northern Lincolnshire and Goole NHS Foundation Trust, which runs Grimsby Hospital, Scunthorpe General Hospital and Goole Hospital, cancelled all elective care, including outpatient appointments.

Further south, United Lincolnshire Hospitals NHS Trust also said it had cancelled non-urgent outpatient appointments and operations.

Medway NHS Foundation Trust in Kent has also postponed some non-urgent planned operations and outpatient appointments.

However, it insisted that urgent two-week wait appointments, radiotherapy, renal services and oncology clinics would ahead as planned.

A number of other clinics and GP appointments in other parts of the country were also affected.

Stop Smoking Clinics in Middlesbrough, Redcar & Cleveland were cancelled "due to #SNOWMAGGEDON", North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust said.

Elsewhere, Ipswich Hospital's patient transport service was prioritising patients with urgent appointments and those ready to be discharged home.

Meanwhile, many organisations urged people to let them know if they are not able to make their appointments - with a number keeping their Twitter followers up to date with the latest traffic information.

North West Anglia NHS Foundation Trust urged staff to go to their nearest hospital - even if it is not their usual place of work - to prevent them travelling further in the snow.

And Gateshead Health NHS Foundation Trust, in the North East, appealed to staff in walking distance to come in. It tweeted: "We would really appreciate any extra pairs of hands today."

Harrogate Hospital also appealed for additional staff.

GP practices are also contending with serious disruption, in Cumbria the Central Lakes Medical group asked patients to stay away unless it's an emergency because of staff shortages.

While hospitals in Nottinghamshire and Cambridgeshire have also had to cancel appointments.

Public Health England advised the public to stock up on essential supplies, including medicines, as more snow is on its way.

Dr Thomas Waite said: "It may be harder for some people to get out later this week when more snow arrives, so if you know someone at risk, someone with heart or lung conditions, young children or someone who is over 65, please take the time to check and see if there’s anything they need.

"Also, remember that we are not all used to temperatures like this so keep homes heated to at least 18 degrees. Staying well in conditions like this can be a challenge, so if you can check on someone whose health may be at risk, please do."

Additional reporting by PA