MORE than 2,200 NHS patients have received care at Spire Cheshire Hospital over the last year, since the start of the covid pandemic.

A year ago, Spire Cheshire committed to support to the NHS in tackling the pandemic and put its colleagues, facilities, services and equipment at the disposal of Warrington and Halton NHS Trust.

Since then, it has provided services for a range of specialisms, including general surgery, orthopaedics, ENT, gastroenterology, gynaecology, as well as treating patients with breast cancer.

Many of the NHS patients who were seen at Spire Cheshire required urgent care and would otherwise have had their treatment or diagnosis delayed or cancelled.

Their support has allowed the NHS to focus on treating covid-positive patients.

Spire Cheshire is now fully open again to private patients, who are either self-paying or insured. It will also continue to provide care for NHS patients and help reduce waiting times and the size of the overall waiting list.

Cheryl Ward, interim hospital director at Spire Cheshire, said: “We’re very proud to have played our part during the peaks of the pandemic, keeping key services going and treating thousands of patients with critical conditions.

“Although the pandemic is easing now, it has left the country with a lengthy waiting list and long waiting times for many patients.

"We’re pleased to offer fast access to expert care with leading specialists, in a hospital where safety comes first.”