Here are the 'strict measures' put in place at Blackpool Victoria Hospital to keep patients safe as elective procedures resume

They reveal just how life has changed at the Whinney Heys Road hospital, and just how far bosses have gone in a bid to curb the spread of the coronavirus Covid-19.

These images, taken by medical photographers Paul Canning and Chimane Moore, have been released in a bid to reassure patients that measures are in place to keep them safe from the bug.

They also serve as a stark reminder that the pandemic did indeed happen and, while we may not be able to see the coronavirus, it is an invisible enemy that still requires vigilance, concerted effort, and the continuing heroism of our NHS medics who have put themselves – and their families – at risk for several

months now.

The hospital’s medical director, Dr Jim Gardner, said: “Understandably, you may be worried about coming forward for surgery or in-patient treatment in the hospital at the present time, but we can reassure you that all necessary precautions are being taken the manage the risk.

“We thank all patients for their understanding during the peak of this pandemic and I must emphasise that precautions will still have to be taken as we slowly step up hospital services and visiting.”

Dr Garder added: “We have strict social distancing procedures, hygiene stations, and our staff are using Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to keep you safe. Parts of the hospital are segregated into Covid and non-Covid areas to minimise the risk of transmission.

“It will be some time before we are back to offering all services and we will keep the public informed as we slowly restart our elective programme. However, it is vital that people feel confident about seeking medical help when they need it and, remember, the NHS is here for you.”

The number of people turning up to A&E at the Vic dropped by 32 per cent in March, according to statistics, leading to concerns that people in need of urgent medical help were avoiding the hospital through fear of catching the coronavirus – or not wanting to be a burden.

So-called ‘mini-stroke’ cases plummeted by 95 per cent from around 20 a day to just one, while the number of people in hospital for heart attacks fell by a third, with Leanne Macefield, the stroke unit manager, saying: “We are particularly concerned during the lockdown that people are suffering at home alone, and we ask everyone to check on neighbours, friends, and family.”

Consultant cardiologist Dr Billal Patel, from the renowned Lancashire Cardiac Centre, which is based at the Vic, added: “This is highly unusual and very worrying as we fear patients may be delaying coming into hospital.

“The patients we are seeing now are in a worse condition because of delays, and we want to advise patients to call 999 if they get symptoms which do not go away within 10 minutes.”

While there had been 216 verified coronavirus-related deaths at the Vic by yesterday morning, some 383 patients had been discharged.