URGENT cancer referrals in Basingstoke, Andover and Winchester hospitals were down around 50 per cent in May, according to a report.

The figure, published as part of a report to Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, which runs the three hospitals, showed that in May this year, there were 887 patients seen following an urgent cancer referral, which was 47.5 per cent down compared to the same month last year, and 53 per cent down on the year to date.

Patients referred for care by their GP to the trust was also down in May.

A total of 2,815 were referred to hospital, representing a decrease of 66.9 per cent compared to May last year, and a 70 per cent decrease on the year to date.

Patients visiting the emergency department was also down 20 per cent compared to May 2019.

There was also a decrease in patients attending their first outpatient appointment by 48.4 per cent, and a similar decrease in those attending a follow-up appointment by 46 per cent.

The report also showed a higher staff sickness rate, which peaked in April when 7.7 per cent of the trust’s staff were absent.

This was classed as ‘red’ meaning “the trust is not performing well”.

For May, staff sickness was at 5 per cent, which was still classed as ‘red’.