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NHS to re-open for routine care as UK passes through peak of coronavirus crisis, reveals Matt Hancock
THE NHS is to re-open for routine care as the UK has passed through the peak of the coronavirus crisis, Matt Hancock revealed today.
The Health Secretary insisted Brits must seek medical attention if they need it after it emerged people could be losing out with medics focused on treating those with the killer bug.
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He urged those with "non-corona conditions" should "come forward now" and they will be "carefully treated in the NHS".
Mr Hancock said: "We want to reopen the NHS to people with non coronavirus symptoms and patients with non-corona conditions safely and carefully, as soon as its able to do so.
"They should come forward.
"If you think you might have a lump that might be a cancer, you should come forward now you will be safely and carefully treated in the NHS."
Mr Hancock also revealed today:
- Britain is currently "at the peak" of the virus at the moment
- 15 care workers have sadly died from Covid-19
- Parts of the NHS which closed to deal with the virus will soon reopen as the number of cases drops
- Anyone who gets seriously ill - such as having a suspected heart attack or stroke - must go to hospital to get critical help
Surgeries and other treatments might be able to restart in the coming weeks, he added.
"As we reach the peak of the virus means we can now start to reopen the NHS," Mr Hancock said.
"Part of that is encouraging people to seek NHS treatment when they need it."
And the Health Secretary revealed today for the first time that 15 care home workers have died in the fight against the virus.
Dominic Raab had just hours earlier refused to answer how many had sadly passed away thanks to Covid-19.
MASS TRACING
It comes as Britain aims to set up mass tracing for everyone who has had contact with coronavirus sufferers within weeks - which could help lift the lockdown.
Mr Hancock said today that ministers want to ramp up measures again to be able to track everyone who has got the virus.
The measures, known as mass contact tracing, were in place during the early stages of the virus spreading in the UK, but were abandoned after the numbers became too great.
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It involved staff getting in touch with every person the infected Brit had come into contact with, so they could make sure they isolate and get medical help if needed.
However, other states including Germany have continued with policies of mass testing and mass tracing the public - and have had fewer deaths so far.
Mr Hancock said today in the House of Commons: "Our goal is to get to the point where we can test, track and trace everybody who needs it."
And he added: "What we also need is mass contract tracing as we bring the rate of transmission down and the rate of testing up.
"So that everybody who tests positive, we can contact all the people they have been in contact with, make sure they get access to support and they know what to do.
"That way we can control this virus with fewer of the very extraordinary social distancing measures that have been in place."
The Sun Says
WE can understand anyone being terrified of going to their GP or into hospital now the Covid crisis is at its peak.
But those with potentially serious conditions simply must.
Cancer Research reckons 2,300 cancers a week are being missed as patients stay at home. Delays in referrals are likely to kill thousands on top of the grim coronavirus toll.
Patients must not risk their lives through fear of this virus.
The NHS has coped miraculously and has plenty of spare capacity. But it is vital to create more Covid-free safe spaces where the risk to those whose immune systems are already weak is minimised.
And that makes routine mass testing for NHS staff all the more crucial.
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Britain's lockdown has been in place for four weeks, with another two to come at least.
But the Health Secretary said that any mass tracing wasn't tied to decisions on whether to continue with lockdown rules.
Ministers by law have to review the lockdown measures every three weeks.
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We are backing a proposal by Lord Ashcroft to honour our health heroes with the gallantry gong given for acts of bravery that did not take place in battle.
A No10 spokesman said: “The NHS is doing a fantastic job and the nation will want to find a way to say thank you when we have defeated this virus.”
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Health Secretary Matt Hancock defends the government's position on coronavirus testing rollout