The NHS has launched a major new drive to persuade the public to seek the urgent care and treatment they need and that, despite COVID-19, the NHS is open for business.

Delays in getting treatment due to coronavirus fears pose a long term risk to people’s health. In addition, fewer people are going to their GP with symptoms and there’s been a significant drop in the number of urgent referrals for cancer. Overall, the number of urgent referrals has dropped to around 25% of usual levels in England. New findings suggest that four in ten people are too concerned about being a burden on the NHS to seek help from their GP.

Seeking medical help is one of the four reasons that people can safely leave home, in line with government guidance. The NHS is still there for patients without coronavirus who need urgent and emergency services for stroke, heart attack, and other killer conditions.

Read the NHS England press release here

Read the Cancer Research UK blog on how COVID-19 is impacting cancer services here