"IheartNiles Mon 20-Apr-20 21:03:24
London hospital.
Half empty. Some wards have less than a handful of patients, some wards are closed. Most staff have been moved to wards so are falling over selves. While their regular work goes undone.
A&E very quiet. I’ve sent patients there who are seen immediately. The heart attacks, strokes and appendicitis cases are presenting too late. People with covid are waiting too long to present. If you get breathless then for goodness sake come in. I’m so cross at the initial advice to stay home until struggling.
Had a look through covid ward lists and vast majority patients are aged over 70. Hardly any patients under 60, those who are have underlying health problems for the most part. Lots more men than women affected.
It’s just a snapshot but echoed by colleagues in other hospitals.
I think we can / should start to move back to normal life soon for the well young people among us. I fear for the short and longer term economic hit. It’s crazy to have all these young well people furloughed or made redundant."

"EdwynCollins Mon 20-Apr-20 21:05:49
Same. Our patients are being denied their regular treatments and interventions so we can all twiddle our thumbs and wait."

"Dh (hospital consultant) is saying the same about where he works - it’s driving him mad! Empty wards, lots of staff, and so many important procedures /operations / treatments cancelled. God knows how they are ever going to catch up!"

"My friend is a consultant in a London hospital. She’s told me the same. She said it’s no where near as bad as Italy or USA. I’d rather listen to her account than the media."

"My best friend, who is a consultant in a large hospital in the south (not London) related the exact same thing to me yesterday. She said they're finishing their ward rounds by 11am, and are twiddling their thumbs much of the time, feeling very guilty about being clapped for, every Thursday. BUT, she is very worried about what's heading their way once some of this is lifted, and their clinic waiting lists will explode and there will be many patients who will be too late for effective treatment."