The Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh (RCPE), the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow and the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh have come together to urge people to seek non-COVID-19 medical advice now if they feel unwell or have health concerns.
Data from the Office for National Statistics on 2 October 2020 show that 42 per cent of UK citizens who had a new or worsening health problem in the previous seven days did not seek professional health advice. Of those surveyed, 13 per cent of people said they were worried about catching COVID-19 while receiving care and 20 per cent said they wanted to avoid putting pressure on the NHS.
The colleges are concerned that if people put off seeking non-COVID-19 medical advice – because of a fear of catching COVID-19 at a health care facility – that diagnoses and important treatment, such as chemotherapy, and emergency procedures could be delayed as part of a knock-on effect.
At the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, elective procedures were postponed for approximately three months to free up beds. In addition, cancer screening programmes for breast, cervical and bowel cancer as well as some cancer operations were indefinitely halted.
These decisions resulted in a backlog of patients waiting for consultations or treatment.
The colleges warned that this could happen again, during the peak of a second wave of COVID-19 infections – which would likely come this winter.
Commenting, Prof Angela Thomas OBE, RCPE acting President said: "We welcome the resumption of many NHS services, which is vital as our hardworking healthcare staff continue to manage the backlog of patient consultations and treatments."
"Robust measures to improve patient flow at hospitals right across the UK are being implemented as we understand it, and contingencies should be in place should we have a surge of coronavirus this winter – coupled with seasonal flu."
