30 June 2020
The Government's Health and Social Care Committee met today to hold an evidence session on delivering core NHS and care services in England during the pandemic and beyond.
BSR’s recent service recovery guide was presented as evidence by Royal College of Physicians President Prof Andrew Goddard, along with the newly published report ‘Returning the NHS to an even keel’.
Members of the committee heard how almost 50% of physician specialties, including rheumatology, expect to be working at less than previous pre-COVID activity levels for at least 12 months or more. The RCP has worked closely with BSR, other specialty societies and NHS England to plan specialty-specific restart activity. Today’s committee heard how the scale of the challenge might lead to doctors having to make difficult decisions about which patients to prioritise until COVID-19 is under control.
Our CEO Ali Rivett said: “We're pleased to see our guide to restarting services highlighted as a case study by the RCP in their evidence to the Health and Social Care Committee today. The guide outlines how services can return in light of constraints such as reduced staffing levels and access to key services such as rehabilitation, imaging and infusion."
Prof Andrew Goddard, President of the RCP said: “Medical specialties are doing their utmost to keep up with demand, and will need the ongoing support of NHS England and the Department of Health and Social Care to get services back on an even keel.”
Read our recovery guide
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