Providing an acute oncology service during the COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic has led to adaptations being made to all aspects of the NHS, including general practice, acute medical specialties and oncology. This has presented unique challenges to acute oncology services (AOSs) in how to provide continuity of care while maintaining the safety of patients and staff. We describe the experience of the AOS team at Barts Health NHS Trust, working across three acute hospitals in east London. Changes to the service due to COVID-19 included increased remote reviews and referrals to the specialist oncology cancer acute assessment unit. The patient population reviewed in April 2020 (at the initial peak of the pandemic in the UK) was markedly different to one reviewed in April 2019, with 55% more patients presenting with a new diagnosis of cancer via an emergency route. Finally, we suggest changes to AOSs for future waves of the pandemic.