Written by former Bupa Global and UK CEO, David Hynam
In the past few days we’ve seen the first signs that hospital capacity for urgent non-coronavirus related illnesses will begin to be released over the coming weeks.
In what has become an unparalleled, co-ordinated response between the NHS, independent hospitals, local care services, the army, and countless other organisations, many lives have undoubtedly been saved.
Independent hospitals, including our own Bupa Cromwell Hospital in west London - appointed to support the Royal Marsden Cancer Hub - have rightly pulled together to ensure urgent treatments have continued during the pandemic.
It’s clear to all of us now that Coronavirus is going to be with us for some time, and continuing vigilance will be needed. The latest reports perhaps give some hope that the huge pressure facing hospitals across the country might soon see some ease and that hospital capacity can become available.
This is welcome news. Doctors have become increasingly concerned that other illnesses may be missed or diagnosed late while the focus is on COVID-19.
Two separate reports have highlighted the same worrying trend that urgent hospital appointments for cancer have dropped by 75 per cent since the start of the outbreak. The latest paper, released by University College London and Health Data Research UK this week, echoes this. It has shown the drop in urgent referrals from GPs for suspected cancer patients compared to pre COVID-19 levels has also dropped, and chemotherapy appointments have also been delayed. We know early diagnosis and treatment undoubtedly saves lives.
I’m really proud of how, right across the health system, we’re continuing to play our part across the UK. Our clinical and operational teams across Bupa have responded to the crisis to meet the needs of our patients, residents and customers.
Working and adapting together at speed colleagues have shown fantastic agility introducing new systems, expanded services and digital innovation to ensure we continue to provide excellent care, support and treatment.
Fortunately, many people have still been able to start or continue an urgent care journey. Our Direct Access service is enabling people who are worried about symptoms to be referred quickly and directly to a specialist for a virtual consultation. This is helping to give people a quicker diagnosis or peace of mind.
Our Dental team have also moved quickly to open emergency practices in five locations in England – and we’re working with the NHS Area teams to open more elsewhere.
As we move to some form of new normal, we need to ensure that we do not lose these agile ways of working – much has been achieved in weeks which in other situations might have taken months.
Positive shifts in hospital capacity, and key healthcare services resuming, can only be positive signs.
Bupa guest author
