Re-visiting the impact of the first wave of COVID-19 on neurosurgical practice and training in a large UK neurosurgery unit: a retrospective review

Abstract

Introduction The response throughout the National Health Service (NHS) to the first wave of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) was substantial. With repeat winter waves of COVID-19 or other viral pathogens in the future being likely, we sought to review the impact of the response to the first wave on the delivery and training of neurosurgery in a large tertiary neurosurgical centre. Methods We performed a retrospective review over the three-month period of 8th March to 7th June 2020 as indicative of the peak of the pandemic in the UK. For referrals, our online referral portal was reviewed (ORION). For admissions and operations, electronic patient records were reviewed (EPIC systems). Trust wide update emails and policies were also reviewed. Results In response to the pandemic, neurosurgical service provision was severely restricted in the early days of the pandemic in the form of reduced beds, medical and nursing staff and theatres. This was rapidly realised to be unsustainable, and resources were slowly reopened although not to pre-COVID-19 levels. Although referrals did not substantially reduce, the number of elective and emergency admissions, length of stay, theatre efficiency and operative numbers (by pathology and grade of operating surgeon) did significantly reduce except for emergencies performed by consultants. If similar trainee operating numbers would have persisted, this would lead to a significant delay to completion of training. Conclusions All aspects of neurosurgical provision were detrimentally affected due to the rapid response to the first wave of COVID-19 in our institution. Such repeated reductions in acute services such as neurosurgery would be unsustainable. It is pertinent to re-visit these effects in preparation for future infection waves to better protect acute neurosurgical services.