Shropshire NHS patients who are admitted to hospital with suspected swine flu are being isolated in a private ward – the Apley Ward at Telford’s Princess Royal.

The Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital Trust is utilising the  facility to take patients from across the county, not just the Telford area.

Patients who had been booked into the ward for private treatment are being offered alternative choices.

A trust spokesman said: “When patients with swine flu are admitted to our hospitals it is important we provide dedicated care to ensure they don’t pass it on to other patients or staff.

“We have identified cohort areas in our hospitals where patients with swine flu will receive their treatment.

“The majority of patients with swine flu will be admitted to the Apley Ward, unless they have a condition which requires specific care in one of our specialist departments.

“During this time we are temporarily unable to use the Apley Ward for private patients. We apologise for any inconvenience caused, but it is vital we are able to provide dedicated care for people with swine flu.”

He added: “Patients who had been booked in for private treatment will normally be given a range of choices depending on nature of their treatment.

“For example, they may be offered treatment at an alternative private hospital or be transferred on to a NHS waiting list and receive their treatment within the national waiting times guarantee.”

The spokesman added  they were currently seeing only a small number of patients with swine flu.

Today’s meeting of the Shropshire County Primary Care Trust board is being updated on the pandemic.