100,000 ‘at risk’ as virus swamps other treatment
MORE than 100,000 Brits could die of non-coronavirus illnesses as the NHS faces “agonising” strain and a massive backlog of treatment.
Charities say patients may be at risk of dying prematurely of strokes, heart problems and other conditions – on top of an estimated 60,000 preventable cancer deaths.
Today Labour is calling on ministers to guarantee essential cancer treatment during the Covid-19 crisis.
Shadow Public Health minister Alex Norris wants action to avoid a deluge of cancer deaths after the pandemic.
As many as 2,600 extra people a week are dying from non-coronavirus causes. And thousands more are awaiting vital medication, transplants and treatment for crippling pain.
At least 1.5 million vulnerable Brits are currently “shielded” by being told to isolate for three months.
But stripped-back access to hospital beds and specialist staff mean huge numbers are at risk.
NHS Blood and Transplant said the number of people who die awaiting a donor, currently 400 out of 6,000 on the active transplant list, is expected to rise at this “unprecedented time”.
BURDEN
All pancreas transplant units are closed although heart, lung and liver units are open for urgent ops.
The Stroke Association reported reductions in emergency patients, with chief executive Juliet Bouverie saying: “The fear of contracting the virus or feeling like a burden might be putting people off seeking treatment.”
The British Heart Foundation reported a 50 per cent drop in people attending A&E with heart attack symptoms, from 300 to 150 a day.
The BHF’s Dr Sonya Babu-Narayan pointed out: “Recent data shows heart disease and dementia are still causing more deaths than Covid-19.”
Dr Louise Soanes of the Teenage Cancer Trust, which has seen many of its 28 units closed or relocated, said: “We’re worried that young people who suspect they have symptoms of cancer might delay treatment.”
Dr Susan Kohlhaas of the MS Society feared for the UK’s 130,000 sufferers, saying: “Many people rely on disease-modifying treatments which are being postponed.”
Laura Cockram of Parkinson’s UK said 75 per cent of its specialist nurses have cut services to assist with critically-ill coronavirus patients, causing extra stress and anxiety.