Doctors plea to patients: please come forward still for treatment

Credit: ITV News Anglia
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Doctors say those suffering from long-term conditions must not become "collateral damage" in the fight against coronavirus.

It comes as experts warn thousands more lives could be lost to cancer because of a reluctance to seek medical help during the pandemic - and as a deal sees private sector facilities transforming to treat NHS patients

Alison Peart has liver cancer. She's one of hundreds of patients now receiving treatment at the private Spire Hospital - rather than the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital round the corner, which is focused on fighting Covid-19.

Alison is being treated for liver cancer at the private Spire hospital now. Credit: ITV News Anglia
What use to be a private day surgery- is now an NHS chemo ward. Credit: ITV News Anglia

In Peterborough, cancer patients are now being assessed at the Fitzwilliam Hospital - another private facility used to take pressure off the NHS.

But there is huge concern that the pandemic has stopped people coming forward to get checked.

Experts say disruption due to coronavirus could mean almost 18,000 more people die with cancer across the country.

In Cambs, patients are also being assessed at the Fitzwilliam Hospital. Credit: ITV News Anglia
Doctors are pleading with patients to come forward for treatment. Credit: ITV News Anglia
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