Doctors call for tougher virus control measures
Around two-thirds of doctors say the spread of Omicron is causing a dramatic slowdown in the provision of non-urgent medical care.
The British Medical Association survey says millions of patients are suffering as a result of the impact the coronavirus variant is having on health services.
The snap survey also revealed that one in five doctors have had to personally self-isolate within the last two weeks and nine out of ten said colleagues had to take sick leave or self-isolate within the same period.
Fewer than half of doctors said they could always access lateral flow tests, which are required to return to work as quickly as possible. Dr Chaand Nagpaul, BMA council chair, said: “The Prime Minister is wrong to ask that the NHS ‘just get through it’.
"This survey shows Omicron is battering our health service, forcing staff off sick and resulting in untold suffering for patients.
“We currently have a record-breaking waiting list stretching to almost six million, with the risk that many patients’ health will deteriorate as they wait.”
He added: “We need a thorough plan from Government for how to tackle the backlog with funding to match.
“It is clear that the rate of infection must be brought down to reduce staff absence. Doctors were strongly in favour of further public health measures with almost eight in 10 supporting limits on households mixing indoors, nine in 10 supporting social distancing in public spaces, shops, and workplaces as well as temporary limits on large scale events and face masks in crowded spaces.