[ad_1]
More than a third of doctors believe that the government’s three-tier system will have no impact on efforts to contain the spread of COVID-19.
Research from the British Medical Association (BMA) also raises concerns about the fall and winter period, with more than half of health personnel saying they are “quite anxious” about what is to come.
More than 6,000 physicians participated in the survey. While 60% said they are concerned about their own health, 65% said they fear a staff shortage in the coming months.
BMA research revealed that more than 65% of physicians are concerned about a staff shortage in the coming months.
Meanwhile, 44% are not sure if NHS will be able to meet the demand of patients with COVID symptoms, with 58% concerned about the ability of the health service to meet the demand of patients without coronavirus.
When asked to what extent the new tier system in their local areas would contain the coronavirus, 37% said they believe it will have no impact or that it would be ineffective.
Less than half of those surveyed, 46%, believe that this approach could work to some extent, and just under 6% said it will work significantly.
The BMA president says the results indicate the “enormous scale of challenges” the NHS will face in the coming months.
Dr. Chaand Nagpaul said: “Doctors know that this winter will probably be one of the most difficult times of their careers.”
“They are extremely concerned about the NHS’s ability to cope and its ability to serve the needs of its patients.”
BMA research indicates that most physicians think the NHS will have a difficult time coping with the demand from non-COVID patients.
The BMA said it wants the government to be “honest and realistic with the public about whether the NHS can cope with routine care and COVID care this winter.”
Dr Nagpaul said: “A large number of doctors in England have little faith that the current ‘tiers’ based lockdowns by the government will have a significant impact on controlling the virus.
“Instead of a few weeks of crackdown, bringing economic and emotional suffering to those living in the affected areas, we need a national prevention strategy that has a lasting impact and controls the rising infection rates in England.”
