A second wave of swine flu could halt all specialist surgery at one of Shropshire’s biggest hospitals, bosses have warned.

Staff at Oswestry’s orthopaedic hospital would have to deal with emergency swine flu cases instead of their normal work if a fresh wave of swine flu sweeps across the country this autumn. John Grinnell, finance director at the hospital, said surgery could be halted in the “worst case scenario”.

Mr Grinnell told the hospital’s trust board yesterday that he estimates the hospital would lose at least £150,000 per week because it was not carrying out orthopaedic work for which it receives payments from the NHS.

He said: “In the worst case scenario we would not be earning any money for orthopaedic work, we would be treating emergency patients.”

Mr Grinnell said the actual amount of money the hospital would lose would depend on what payments it received for treating swine flu patients and how long the pandemic lasted.

Nursing director Vicky Morris said: “The first swine flu wave has been concluded. The second wave is due in the autumn. As a hospital we are ready for that second wave and we are working with the local health economy to ensure a co-ordinated approach in the area.”

She warned that although the hospital had adequate resources in place, patient to staff ratios would be altered but guidance had been received in case of staff shortages.

Hospital chief executive Wendy Farrington Chadd said it was clear a swine flu pandemic would compromise the hospital’s ability to meet targets.

Hospital trust chairman Russell Hardy said: “Our primary responsibility is to look after patients. If there are consequences financially from that we will manage them the best we can. The reality is the impact on our finances will be severe.”

Meanwhile the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) and the Business Continuity Institute (BCI) today said businesses should be prepared for a “significant” increase in absence with staff off two to four weeks.