The Patients Association: Pandemic Patient Experience (21 September 2020)

Summary

Between 6 May and 17 August 2020, the Patients Association asked patients about their experiences during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in an online survey.

Content

The results paint a bleak picture of the massive toll on all patients of the coronavirus pandemic and the emergency measures taken in response to it. Despite the large scale celebration of the NHS over the spring and early summer, the emergency measures came at a huge cost to patients. In particular, access to services became very difficult, and many patients were left feeling unsupported, anxious and lonely. The relationship between patients and the NHS has been significantly disrupted.

It was by no means all bad: some patients reported good ongoing care, and were impressed by the way their local communities came together to support them.

This report uses what patients said to look to the future, both near and long-term. It contains recommendations for the next phase of the emergency response, and also a call for the health and care system to be built back better after the pandemic: the current emergency footing cannot be the basis for the ongoing relationship between patients and the NHS.