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The new Bishop of Plymouth has seen first-hand the pressures the NHS is facing on his first visit to Derriford Hospital since he started his new role.

The Rt Rev’d James Grier visited an oncology ward and the hospital chaplaincy, meeting with the team of chaplains and a representative from St Luke’s Hospice.

Derriford hospital’s level four lift doors opened to reveal two very special guests yesterday – Peanut and Wizzle, the miniature Shetland ponies. The therapy ponies were joined Poppy the therapy dog and Emazdad the Magician as Santa for a very special grotto held in the recently opened ICU Secret Garden.

Nobody wants to be spending Christmas in hospital and for children, it can be a particularly challenging time. In a bid to bring some Christmas joy to young patients and their families a visit from members of Plymouth Argyle Football Club was arranged.

University Hospitals Plymouth is making their UTC (Urgent Treatment Centre) and MIU (Minor Injuries Unit) waiting times available to the public so that they can make an informed decision about where to receive the urgent care that they need.

Chief Executive Ann James said:

We know the sight of ambulances queueing and the waits people are facing for Urgent and Emergency Care can be worrying for local people. I wanted to share with your today some good news that demonstrates we are working hard to improve the situation and reduce these waits.

Ambulance services will be taking industrial action today, on Wednesday 21 December, and Wednesday 28 December. The NHS in Devon is working hard to keep people safe during the planned strikes, while delivering the best care possible.

Staff from health and care providers across Plymouth have been busy preparing to provide the best possible service to patients this winter. We recognise that patients are facing long waits and sometimes difficulty accessing health and care services.

Dame Angela Pedder has been appointed to the role of Associate Non-Executive Director at University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust and NHS England has appointed Nick Ball as a new Non-Executive Director, both with effect from Monday 2 January 2023.

University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust is reminding patients and visitors to prepare for longer journeys to Derriford hospital amidst improvement works and busy traffic.

As you may know, planned industrial action has been announced by the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) on Thursday 15 and Tuesday 20 December.