Cancer treatment rates have plummeted and midwives are bracing themselves for an increase in stillbirths because of the impact of coronavirus on health services, senior medics warned today as they outlined the new battle facing the NHS.
After Boris Johnson claimed the UK has ‘passed the peak’ of covid-19 cases without overwhelming the health service, politicians face a battle to reopen hospitals and specialist services to those whose operations and care have been put on hold.
MPs heard today that cancer referrals have fallen by almost two thirds (62 per cent) and chemotherapy by 30 per cent during the pandemic.
It has led to NHS trusts in England and Scotland sending high-risk patients to private hospitals for operations.
At the same time, politicians have also been warned of a possible spike in stillbirths and earlier neonatal deaths because pregnant women with problems have been too scared to attend hospitals where the virus is present.
Experts in both these areas and also mental health appeared in front of MPs on the health and social care committee remotely today, after days in which ministers and senior medics have pleaded with the sick to attend hospital if they need to.
This week a study found that coronavirus crisis in the UK could result in 18,000 more cancer deaths in the next year, while the Royal College of Surgeons warned that 2million general NHS operations have also been axed.
Dame Cally Palmer, the national cancer director for NHS England, told the committee remotely this morning: ”Broadly, chemotherapy appointments are running at about 70 per cent of normal levels’
Britain again took part in a Clap For Carers last night as they continue to save lives from coronavirus. But ta new battle to restart other emergency treatment is now underway.
Gill Walton, the chief executive of the Royal College of Midwives, said there was a real ‘fear’ among expectant mothers to attending maternity units, meaning problems could be missed
Experts have warned indirect deaths from the pandemic – due to cancer, heart attack, mental health and more – will exceed that of the virus itself.
England suggested nearly half of the public have concerns about seeking help during the coronavirus pandemic.
Dame Cally Palmer, the national cancer director for NHS England, told the committee remotely this morning: ”Broadly, chemotherapy appointments are running at about 70 per cent of normal levels and the reason for that … is they use different facilities and workforce broadly from surgery and the other resources required to respond to Covid-19.’
She added: ‘We had just under 15,000 people booked for an appointment but that is a 62 per cent reduction and clearly it’s very important we address that because early detection is vital for increased survival.’
When asked if that meant up to two-thirds of cancers were being missed, Dame Cally replied: ‘I don’t think that’s the case because the service has roughly an 8 per cent conversion rate for urgent referrals.
‘It’s really important to state that urgent referrals and urgent cancer treatments is continuing – obviously we need to tailor that to patient’s individual risk but I think it would be wrong to make a mathematical calculation on that basis.’
Her evidence came as it was revealed a private hospital has treated more than 850 NHS cancer patients.
Up to 100 patients are receiving care each day from Spire healthcare to free up hospitals in Southampton to care for Covid-19 patients.
The agreement has been made with University Hospital Southampton (UHS) to enable its Southampton hospital to provide urgent surgery in an environment clear of coronavirus.
The hospital is treating a variety of cancers including gynaecological, neurological, ear, nose and throat, gastrointestinal, urology and supporting cardiac and lung surgery.
Urgent breat and skin cancer surgery is also being carried out at private units in Scotland to allow it to be done more quickly.
Meanwhile the head of the midwifery union warned coronavirus could lead to a surge in baby deaths because women enduring a difficult pregnancy are afraid to go to hospitals during the pandemic, a top midwife warned today.
Up to 100 patients are receiving care each day from Spire healthcare to free up University Hospital Southampton (above last night) and keep cancer patients with damaged immune systems clear of coronavirus
She said this meant there could be a rise in stillbirths and neonatal deaths and said mothers needed to be reassured that they could still safely attend maternity units
Gill Walton, the chief executive of the Royal College of Midwives, said there was a real ‘fear’ among expectant mothers to attending maternity units, meaning problems could be missed.
She said this meant there could be a rise in stillbirths and neonatal deaths and said mothers needed to be reassured that they could still safely attend maternity units.
Ministers and the NHs have been urging people requiring non-coronavirus treatment to go to hospitals when ill amid fears that people could be putting it off for fear of catching the virus or taking up beds.
Ms Walton was appearing in front of the health and social care committee chaired by former health secretary Jeremy Hunt
Speaking to MPs on the Commons health and social care committee this morning about the difficulty spotting pregnancy problems, Ms Walton said: ‘Some of that is related to the fear of the pregnant population and presenting to maternity services during the pandemic, and that fear then prevents them even sometimes just picking up the phone to say they may be concerned.
‘I believe that maternity services have tried their very best to try and keep providing as much of a normal service as possible.
‘I do think it’s really important to be getting that message out that maternity services are still open and that women should come forward so that we can keep them and their babies as well as possible.’
Ms Walton said that follow-ups on women who miss scans and appointments has been enhanced.
She added: ‘One of the positives from the pandemic is the use of technology, so there has been more virtual contact and follow-up with women through midwives and maternity services than before.’
When asked about the apparent disproportionate impact of Covid-19 on black, Asian and minority ethnic (Bame) people, Ms Walton continued: ‘We are worried about that, both pregnant women and staff, it is both of those things.
‘It is really important that those women who are from BAME backgrounds are treated as more vulnerable than the general population and midwives are aware of that.
‘We’re also, because we’re a trade union as well, concerned about our BAME staff and making sure that they are seen as a slightly more vulnerable group, and that they have local risk assessments and protections as well.’