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Mar 2021

Last Updated: 12/03/2021

Health

17,000 fewer scans at Harrogate Hospital due to covid

by Suzannah Rogerson

| 15 Mar, 2021

Coronavirus has had a huge impact on the hospital with several procedures being delayed. The Stray Ferret has sourced data to show how 17,000 fewer scans were delivered due to the pandemic.

Harrogate District Hospital Trust provided over 17,000 fewer scans in the six months after the pandemic began than the six months prior.

The Stray Ferret has found data on the NHS England website to show that 39,348 scans took place between October 2019 and March 2020.

During the six months after coronavirus took hold, April 2020 and September 2020, there were 22,157 scans delivered at the hospital.

That is 17,191 fewer scans.

These numbers include scans delivered at the Nightingale hospital in Harrogate after a referral from the trust. The exact number has not been disclosed.

Coronavirus has had a huge impact on the NHS, with staff working longer hours under difficult conditions.

The district hospital has seen an impact in the number of scans it delivered. Coronavirus meant many appointments were delayed and some patients were left feeling reluctant to go into hospital with health issues.

The hospital said its staff are working hard to re-book appointments.

Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust spokesperson said:

“We are working hard to reschedule appointments and operations impacted by the pandemic for as soon as possible. However, the pandemic means that for many of our patients there will be a delay, and waiting times will be longer.

“We have arrangements in place to risk assess every patient on our waiting lists to ensure we prioritise people on the basis of their clinical need. These decisions are being made by doctors and other clinical colleagues who are following national clinical guidelines.

"Colleagues both in hospital and in community services have been absolutely fantastic throughout the pandemic and despite the ongoing challenges, continue to be.”

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The data included 12 scans covering all areas of the body including CT, MRI and Cystoscopy scans. Some of those included in the data are used in cancer diagnosis.

Seven of the 12 scans included in this data can be used for cancer amongst other conditions.

Huge drops in cancer referrals have been reported throughout the pandemic. Cancer Research UK found that 40,000 fewer people started cancer treatment last year.

Dr Stuart Griffiths, Director of Research and Services at Yorkshire Cancer Research, said:

“We know that there has been a reduction in urgent referrals for suspected cancer during the pandemic which is slowly getting back to normal. Early diagnosis of cancer is vitally important. It is easier to treat when caught early.

“We encourage anyone with any worrying symptoms to approach their GP."

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17,000 fewer scans at Harrogate Hospital due to covid

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