Doctors concerned that virus has indirectly harmed patients

A survey of members of the Royal College of Physicians has found that 60 per cent of doctors worry that their patients have suffered harm or complications following diagnosis or treatment delays during the pandemic.

The research also uncovered that 94 per cent of doctors are concerned about the general indirect impact of coronavirus on their patients. This is also compounded by the difficulty doctors are finding in accessing diagnostic testing for their patients. Less than a third of doctors report experiencing no delays in accessing endoscopy testing for inpatients, decreasing to just eight per cent for outpatients.

Furthermore, only five per cent of doctors feel that their organisations are fully prepared for a potential second wave of coronavirus infection, and 64 per cent say they haven’t been involved in any discussions about preparations for a second wave of the virus.

The RCP stresses that the government must ensure that the NHS estate is fully able to cope with the winter season. Currently, only five per cent of their members say they wanted an antibody test for coronavirus but were unable to access one. Of those tested, 25 per cent were positive, with little or no difference when it came to gender, between white and BAME doctors, trainees and consultants or between London and the rest of England.

Andrew Goddard, president of the Royal College of Physicians, 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. Without careful and rigorous preparation, a second wave coupled with the winter flu season, could overwhelm the NHS.”