Worrying drop in children accessing services and safeguarding concerns

NHS Providers deputy chief executive Saffron Cordery said:

"Quite rightly over the last few months the NHS has had to focus on both preparation and its response to the COVID outbreak.

"But this does mean that the move to manage the 'surge' has diverted our attention away from the most vulnerable in society.

"There are clear concerns emerging around children both in terms of their physical health, with numbers attending A&E and GP appointments significantly down, and their overall safety.

There are clear concerns emerging around children both in terms of their physical health, with numbers attending A&E and GP appointments significantly down, and their overall safety.

   

"It is also deeply worrying that safeguarding referrals are down as this indicates that vulnerable children are potentially in more danger.

"We know that school closures can leave vulnerable children at greater risk of isolation without the social care and safeguarding support they may need.

"If children and young people are not being identified they will not be getting the protection and vital help they need now.

"It also means that we have to prepare for a huge demand for additional support when life starts to return to normal and brings into sharp focus both the need for significant investment in social care and Children and Young People’s Mental Health Services."

Ensuring staff feel safe is a top priority for trust leaders 

Responding to an article in the Sunday Times about pregnant frontline staff, Chris Hopson, NHS Providers chief executive, said:

"Ensuring that staff feel safe is absolutely a top priority for trust leaders.

"While it is concerning to hear that pregnant frontline staff are worried about their safety, it should be acknowledged that trusts are following the latest guidance diligently.

Trusts also continue to take seriously their role of risk assessing members of staff, and urge any who believe they are working in an inappropriate environment to come forward so that occupational health teams can urgently review individual circumstances.

   

"The latest guidance published by the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, the Royal College of Midwives and the Faculty of Occupational Medicine of the Royal College of Physicians clarifies at which stages of pregnancy women can work and in what situations, as well as with what personal protective equipment. 

"Trusts also continue to take seriously their role of risk assessing members of staff, and urge any who believe they are working in an inappropriate environment to come forward so that occupational health teams can urgently review individual circumstances."

Please continue to come forward and use the NHS 

Saffron Cordery said:

"Over the weekend a new public information campaign was launched to persuade people to continue to seek the care and treatment they need. 

"This is extremely welcome as although COVID-19 continues to be a major concern, we know that wider healthcare needs remain. 

"Many trust leaders have shared their concerns with us after a fall in the number of people accessing non-COVID care. 

"Clearly the public is feeling frightened of transmission of the disease, or is worried about overburdening the NHS. 

We want the public to know that the NHS is absolutely still there for you if you need it and it is safe to use.

   

"For example, a trust pointed to a significant decline in the number of cancer patients getting in touch, raising concerns that they may not be seeking the help they need. 

"Meanwhile there has been a significant drop in A&E attendances, and we keep hearing reports of people presenting too late in emergency departments for stroke, heart attacks and paediatric cases. 

"We want the public to know that the NHS is absolutely still there for you if you need it and it is safe to use. There are measures in place to help prevent transmission – such as hot and cold sites for COVID and non-COVID cases – as well as the capacity to treat patients."