All face to face appointments for outpatients at Arrowe Park Hospital have been stopped with immediate effect - except for in “exceptional circumstances”.
Instead, the hospital will run telephone consultations for patients wherever possible.
The measure has been put in place to protect patients as the hospital battles the coronavirus pandemic.
Hospital staff are contacting all patients affected, but said that if anyone has not heard yet they should assume their appointment has been cancelled.
The policy set by the local Trust - Wirral University Teaching Hospital, also includes Clatterbridge Hospital.
There are some exceptions to the new rules.
If there is a “compelling, safety-critical need” for a physical visit to hospital, this can be arranged at the discretion of the specialist team concerned.
The trust also said that some patients will still require a face to face consultation despite today’s announcement and this can be arranged to keep patients as safe as possible.
The new rules do not affect emergency admissions or those in labour.
The trust pointed out that the decision is in accordance with government advice on social distancing and these measures are being taken to provide care in the safest possible way.
Dr Nikki Stevenson, medical director at Wirral University Teaching Hospital, said: “We realise this can be distressing for patients awaiting appointments; however, this decision has been made to prioritise the safety and healthcare needs of our patients.
“We thank all of our patients for their cooperation at this time.”
The number of people who have died from coronavirus in the UK now stands at 1,228 and 19,522 people have tested positive for the virus.
In Merseyside, six people have died - five of those deaths have come on the Wirral.
Yesterday, England’s deputy chief medical officer Dr Jenny Harries said it could be six months before life returns to normal.
