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CSJ THE CLINICAL SERVICES JOURNAL Editor


Louise Frampton louiseframpton@stepcomms.com


Technical Editor Kate Woodhead Business Manager


Dean Walford deanwalford@stepcomms.com


Sales Executive Holly Goldring hollygoldring@stepcomms.com


Journal Administration


Katy Cockle katycockle@stepcomms.com


Design Steven Dillon Publisher


Geoff King geoffking@stepcomms.com


Publishing Director Trevor Moon trevormoon@stepcomms.com


THE CLINICAL SERVICES JOURNAL is published in January, February, March, April, May, June, August, September, October and November by Step Communications Ltd, Step House, North Farm Road, Tunbridge Wells, Kent TN2 3DR, UK. Tel: +44 (0)1892 779999 Fax: +44 (0)1892 616177 Email: info@clinicalservicesjournal.com Web: www.clinicalservicesjournal.com


An act of kindness…


© Step Communications Ltd, 2021 Single copy: £19.00 per issue. Annual journal subscription: UK £114.00 Overseas: £150.00


ISSN No. 1478-5641


The Publisher is unable to take any responsibility for views expressed by contributors. Editorial views are not necessarily shared by the journal. Readers are expressly advised that while the contents of this publication are believed to be accurate, correct and complete, no reliance should be placed upon its contents as being applicable to any particular circumstances. This publication is copyright under the Berne Convention and the International Copyright Convention. All rights reserved, apart from any copying under the UK Copyright Act 1956, part 1, section 7. Multiple copies of the contents of the publication without permission is always illegal.


At the time of writing this comment, the nation was waiting for the Prime Minister to give the nation the green light to make up their own minds about whether they will wear a face mask in public places. This means that, from 19 July, the population in England will no longer be required to wear a mask, although they will still be required to wear one in Scotland and Wales. The Prime Minister says that he “expects and recommends” the continued wearing of masks in crowded areas such as public transport. However, it will be a matter for our own conscience whether or not we wish to protect others, as we are pressed up against them in a crowded underground train. From the 26 July, people in Northern Ireland will still have to wear masks on public transport, in shops and hospitality venues, but they will no longer be compulsory in places of worship, or for students in school classrooms. This relaxing of mask wearing rules comes at a time when the UK is experiencing another sharp rise in COVID cases and the highest daily increase in deaths since 26 March. The wearing of masks doesn’t just have an impact on COVID-19 transmission, however. Previous research, published in the journal, Nature Medicine (April 2020), showed that masks significantly reduced the number of flu viruses detectable in droplets released through breathing and coughing. It also reduced the number of seasonal coronaviruses. This year, the stakes are particularly high. The NHS is now trying to recover, with a backlog of patients, and any surge in cases could risk undoing all of this hard work. A new report, commissioned by the Government’s Chief Scientific Adviser, Sir Patrick Vallance, which draws on expertise from Imperial academics, has warned that COVID-19, influenza, and the respiratory virus Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) could push the NHS to breaking point, this winter. New modelling carried out for the


report suggests, influenza and RSV hospital admissions and deaths could be two times that of a ‘normal’ year and could coincide with an increase of COVID-19 infections, and their associated long-term consequences. Dealing with a third wave of COVID-19, as well as multiple subsequent outbreaks, between summer 2021 and spring 2022, would mean the NHS could struggle even


AUGUST 2021


further to catch up with the backlog of routine care. The report also warns that the NHS is already under pressure and so is likely to be less able to cope with extra winter health challenges. Before the pandemic, winter bed occupancy in the NHS regularly exceeded 95%. This year the NHS will also be operating with a reduced number of beds because of infection control measures. This is likely to be compounded by a shortage of nearly 84,000 staff, a shortage of 2,500 GPs, as well as staff fatigue and burnout.


Wearing a mask will now become a personal choice but, as NHS Highland’s public health director, Dr. Tim Allison, points out, it is an act of “kindness to others”.


Wearing a mask will now become a personal choice but, as NHS Highland’s public health director, Dr. Tim Allison, points out, it is an act of “kindness to others”. It should also be noted that while the ‘health of the NHS’ is in such a fragile state, it is also an act of kindness to the many fatigued staff on the frontline of care. Ultimately, the relaxing of rules on face masks forms part of the Government’s announcement of ‘freedom day’, which coincided with the Prime Minister being forced to self-isolate, as the Health Secretary, Sajid Javid, tested positive for COVID-19. Nothing could be a more poignant reminder to the Health Secreatary and the Government that with ‘freedom’ comes consequences for us all.


Louise Frampton l Editor louiseframpton@stepcomms.com


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