NEWS
RCP survey highlights fears as rotas return to normal
The fifth survey of RCP fellows and members shows that doctors are concerned for patients as practice and rotas return to normal. In the wake of the first wave of COVID-19, the RCP conducted its fifth survey tracking the impact of the pandemic on the workforce. The survey found that the majority of respondents have now returned to their normal areas of clinical practice. However, 60% of clinicians are worried that patients in their care have suffered harm or complications following diagnosis or treatment delays during the pandemic. The overwhelming majority (94%) are concerned about the indirect impacts of COVID-19 on their patients. Delays to diagnosis or treatment was the most common concern, cited by 58%. 86% report that their hospital has
restarted diagnostic procedures, but of these a third (34%) say only a very small of procedures have restarted. London appears to face greater challenges than the rest of England – 46% report only a small number of procedures restarting, compared to 30% in the rest of England.
Delays accessing diagnostic testing are compounding these problems. Endoscopy testing is particularly affected: only 8% reported no delays for outpatients, and over a third (36%) are experiencing long delays. For inpatients, 72% are experiencing delays. Clinical physiology testing is seeing similar delays – 75% for inpatients and 90% for outpatients. Delays to elective surgery are also anticipated for some time yet. Only 13% think the NHS will recover its 18-week referral to treatment target within a year. 40% believe the target will be met again within two years, but almost half (47%) think it will take up to five years or ‘not within the foreseeable future’. Other key findings include: l 10% are still working in a different clinical area, but this is down from 22% in early June. 74% report that their rotas have returned to normal.
l 56% of respondents report having had a formal risk assessment.
l 79% of respondents report having had TUESDAY 27TH OCTOBER 2020
EAST MIDLANDS CONFERENCE CENTRE, UNIVERSITY PARK, NOTTINGHAM
Completing the Picture is a FREE annual educational event. Join peers for a CPD accredited day of education, insight and discussion around current practices and the development of the medical technology of the future.
WHAT TO EXPECT AT COMPLETING THE PICTURE 2020:
• An impartial and comprehensive educational programme delivered by a range of specialist speakers
• Multiple sessions, allowing delegates to tailor their own learning experience
• Opportunity to network with peers
• Exhibition stands and optional seminars
• Certificate of attendance for delegate CPD records
Who can attend? This free to attend event is open to EBME’s, Procurement, I.T Specialists & Healthcare Professionals
WWW.COMPLETINGTHEPICTURE.COM
REGISTRATION NOW OPEN
SEPTEMBER 2020
WWW.CLINICALSERVICESJOURNAL.COM l 13
“A must for all engineers in-tune with the future”
FREE TO ATTEND
“An extremely informative and interesting day”
access to an antibody test for COVID-19. Of them, 25% report that their result was positive for COVID-19 antibodies.
l 60% of respondents report being concerned for patients under their care who might have suffered harm or complications following diagnosis or treatment delays during the pandemic.
l Almost two thirds (64%) of respondents reported that they have not been involved in conversations about preparing for a second wave. Of those who have been involved, 93% say they are preparing on the assumption that a second wave of COVID-19 is likely or extremely likely.
l With the shift away from face-to-face appointments, almost three quarters (73%) are now conducting remote
consultations. However, 19% reported they still did not have access to a webcam to carry out video consultations.
Commenting on the survey, RCP president, Professor Andrew Goddard, said: “Delays to treatment are so often a major issue for the NHS but as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, it’s fair to say we’ve reached crisis point. Doctors are, understandably, gravely concerned that their patients’ health will have deteriorated to the point where they will need much more extensive treatment than previously, at a time when NHS resources are already incredibly depleted. We also cannot underestimate the need to prepare for a second wave of COVID-19 infection, which threatens to compound the situation.”
©doroguzenda -
stock.adobe.com
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84 |
Page 85 |
Page 86 |
Page 87 |
Page 88 |
Page 89 |
Page 90 |
Page 91 |
Page 92
