Indirect impact of COVID-19

Healthcare system changes

Reductions in Acute Care

• COVID-19 has led to radical changes in the way people are using NHS and social care services. In Staffordshire, comparing Mar-Dec 2020 to the same period in 2019:
  
  
  •  53,800 (39.4%) fewer elective (planned) inpatient admissions
    
    
  • 23,900 (24.9%) fewer non-COVID emergency inpatient admissions

• Maternity admissions fell by 1450 (9.8%) over the same period
  
  
• Sharp reduction in hospital activity between March and April 2020.
  
  
• Emergency inpatient admissions and elective volumes have partially recovered but remain well below 2019 levels.
  
  
• Reductions more notable in Black and Asian communities and younger people (Economic and Social Research Council).

Hospital admissions monthly trend (Staffordshire)

Source:  NHS Digital Hospital Episode Statistics data

Impact on hospital waiting lists

• The reduction in acute hospital care has led to a substantial increase in waiting lists for routine hospital work.
  
  
• COVID-19 impacted on day-to-day management of hospital wards, leading to a fall in the number of available beds. Coupled with staffing issues related to COVID-19 this has led to a reduction in hospital capacity.

Staffordshire CCG registered patients waiting for hospital treatment

Source:  NHS England

Changes in primary care

• Reduction in GP consultations leading to concerns about care of non-COVID patients, those with long-term health conditions and delayed diagnoses.
  
  
• GP consultations in Staffordshire during 2020 lower than England rate (using experimental data).
  
  
• For 2020 40.9% of GP consultations in Staffordshire took place remotely, compared to 9.6% in 2019. This was higher than seen nationally (36.0%).

Percentage of GP and face to face appointments in general practice, January 2020 - December 2020

Support for those most vulnerable

• 62,371 clinically extremely vulnerable (CEV) people were identified in Staffordshire and contacted with an offer of support.
  
  
• Support included emergency food parcels, help with essential domestic supplies and medication, and befriending.
  
  
• The Voluntary sector played a key role in providing support to those most vulnerable, with Staffordshire experiencing a rise in social action.
  
  
• 4,675 referrals for support were made by statutory public sector organisations to voluntary sector ‘anchor organisations’.

Call Centre and NHS Referrals to the Voluntary Sector