UK healthcare provision: the new normal is not good enough

Coombes suggests that NHS staff and patients will have to cope with the “new normal” after the covid-19 pandemic and the previous deterioration in the UK’s healthcare provision.1Some patients with mental health conditions might welcome video calls instead of personal consultations, and some families attending Great Ormond Street Hospital might be grateful for the increased clinical interaction of remote consultations. But my experience as a retired surgeon and volunteer at a local cancer support charity tells a different story.Cancer treatment is undoubtedly of a high standard, but some people still learn their diagnosis of cancer by a telephone call from the hospital consultant or general practitioner. When they need more information before reaching the all important decision about treatment options, a face to face discussion with the surgeon or oncologist is not available. When they are concerned by side effects of treatment that they do not understand or have not…
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