GPs and A&E healthcare workers across the city have been expressing their concerns over how quiet their respective departments are. Where have all the patients with non-covid related medical problems gone?

Earlier this week we learnt that, in Scotland, there had been a 72% reduction in urgent suspected cancer referrals made by doctors and that far fewer people than usual were coming forward with signs and symptoms suggestive of cancer. This is seriously worrying.

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New data from hospitals across England also show that the number of people attending emergency departments with symptoms of a heart attack has dropped from an average of around 300 per day at the beginning of March, to around 150 per day. This would suggest that people are risking their lives by neglecting serious symptoms and are possibly suffering from avoidable premature deaths.

Rewind to pre-coronavirus times and we were struggling to meet patient demands due to both the seasonal crisis but also because of the rising number of chronic health problems such as heart disease, strokes, diabetes, mental health problems and cancers. We rarely had empty appointments before this pandemic but now it is significantly quieter as patients are no longer presenting to their GPs or hospitals.

Looking wider, this pattern is being seen across the world where there is a significant drop in the number of patients seeking medical help, including delaying attendance to hospital, until their condition deteriorates.

So why are people avoiding attending to their other health needs right now? It can’t be that all these conditions have resolved.

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A common belief amongst the general public is that practices and hospitals are only seeing patients with coronavirus. This is untrue. The NHS is open 24/7 for all healthcare needs and must be used if necessary. The practices are open as normal, in fact we even opened over the Easter holidays because we appreciate that people need the NHS now more than ever.

Many people also do not want to add to the burden of the already stretched NHS and want to support the frontline by sparing them from extra work. I’ve heard people say that they do not feel their health problem is as important as those suffering from coronavirus and therefore have avoided contacting their doctor and instead have suffered in silence.

There is an additional concern of leaving our homes at the moment too, especially as we are constantly being reminded about the importance of staying home to save lives and protect the NHS. Also, where hospitals and practices were previously seen as places of health and safety, they are now being perceived to be high-risk settings where people fear they are more likely to catch the virus.

Whilst these reasons are understandable, it must be stressed that none justify delaying seeking medical help.

The practices and hospital settings are different right now but that difference is only to the exterior. The service is still the same. I appreciate it’s an unsettling time and yes it’s weird to see your friendly GPs dressed up in scrubs, face masks and gloves, but these measures have been put in place to to protect them as well as protecting you. Everything that can be done to minimise risk of transmission is being done right now across the board so rest assured, if we invite you down to the practice for a review, we will do everything we can to keep you safe.

Most consultations are being done over the phone or by video anyway so there is no reason to not call the practice if you’re worried about any aspect of your health.

If you have a new lump, or lesion, a pain that’s getting worse, a change to your bowel habits or weight loss, a new headache, unusual bleeding or a deterioration in a pre-existing condition; anything at all that’s causing you concern, please pick up the phone and call your GP.

This pandemic is going to last a while and it’s effects will last for an even longer time. We cannot control this. What we can control however is ensuring that everyone that needs help right now is getting it and not waiting until it’s too late.