NHS may cancel appointments and reduce visiting times, leaders warn

As reported in The Independent, the COVID and flu ‘twindemic’ may force the HNS to cancel appointments and limit waiting time

Fears have been raised the viruses could strip back the workforce and further increase demand for services during an already busy period.

It comes amid rising COVID infections in the UK. Around 1.3m tested positive in late September, according to the latest figures, which was a 25% increase on the week before.

The UK is also concerned there could be a bad flu season this year, with lower immunity across the population due to reduced exposure in the COVID pandemic.

NHS leaders have warned that this background could make winter even more difficult for the health service.

“I make no bones about this: we know it’s going to be a pressurised time for trusts over the next four months if not longer,” Saffron Cordery from NHS Providers, which represents trusts in England, told The Independent.

The interim chief executive added: “We’re worried about Covid and we’re worried about flu.”

Ms Cordery said these joint pressures – which could increase demand, strip back workforces and introduce the need for greater infection control measures – could have a knock-on effect on services.

“We need to anticipate that there may well be cancellations for either outpatient appointments or routine procedures or operations, because there could be staff shortages or rising demand in emergency care – that means that those routine appointments cannot take place as quickly as we’d like,” she said.

Winter pressures could also lead to increased waiting times at A&E and for ambulances, she said. “That’s one of the enduring pressures we’ve seen over the last few months. And we know that that isn’t a good experience for patients or their families. Indeed, it’s very worrying and also very challenging for staff.”