HAEMATOLOGY and oncology services at Basingstoke and North Hampshire Hospital are being moved to Winchester due to the coronavirus outbreak.

Affected services include inpatient haematology (Wessex Ward), day admissions for chemotherapy and support therapy (Basing Unit) as well as infusion services (Lyford Ward).

All services will be moved to BMI Sarum Road Hospital in Winchester.

Hospital chiefs say the move is designed to keep the most vulnerable patients out of its main hospitals and to enable them to continue to receive the care that they need.

A message shared on the Hampshire Hospitals Twitter page read: “In order to continue to adapt to the demands of the Covid-19 outbreak, we are having to take a number of difficult decisions regarding the shape and structure of services.

“As part of this process, haematology and oncology services are being moved to BMI Sarum Road Hospital in Winchester.

“The purpose of this move is to keep our most vulnerable patients, many of whom are undergoing treatment for cancer, out of our main hospitals in order for us to continue to deliver the care they need.

“The move includes inpatient haematology (Wessex Ward at Basingstoke), day admissions (chemotherapy and support therapy – Basing Unit at Basingstoke and Nick Jonas Ward at Winchester) and infusion services (Lyford Ward at Basingstoke and Colebrook Unit at Winchester).

“All patients undergoing treatment will be contacted directly regarding the move and how to access any ongoing support needed.”