Mary Wash

HUNDREDS of outpatient appointments at the Whittington Hospital have been cancelled at short notice due to the Queen’s funeral.

Monday has been declared a public holiday as the monarch, who died last Thursday aged 96, is laid to rest.

Emergency services and “urgent care for high priority patients” will still be operating at the Archway hospital.

Patients who have been waiting for long periods, sometimes years, due to the backlog that built up during the pandemic were sent texts about the changes this week.

Frustration at cancelled NHS appointments was being shared on social media by people who have waited months or even two years for as scan.

But the Tribune found that not everyone is incensed by the decision. Holloway resident Mary Wash was due to be seen at the Whittington for a liver scan on Monday, but said to respect the death of the Queen she “wouldn’t have gone anyhow”. Her appointment has been rescheduled for Friday.

Ms Wash said: “She’s been my monarch all my life. Personally I think everything should be stopped, even the daily papers – as a mark of respect.

“As far as I know, nearly everybody seems to think as a mark of respect it should be cancelled.

“That’s what we do in England – nobody can put on a show like we do.”

The Whittington apologised to patients, saying in a statement that “standard bank holiday arrangements will apply” on Monday, adding: “Most planned appoint­ments will be rearranged, and we will contact you with further details of your new appointment as soon as possible.”

It also signposted information for those struggling with grief over the death of Queen Elizabeth.