COVID-19 and the impact on urology service provision at Capital & Coast District Health Board

To determine the impact on the Capital & Coast District Health Board (CCDHB) urology service of the implementation of nationwide healthcare restrictions in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

This is an observational retrospective study over a 21 working day period during the implementation of National Hospital Response Framework Alert (NHRFA) level 2. We obtained patient data during this period and a corresponding control period prior to the pandemic. The data was focussed on the volume of operating theatre cases, outpatient consultations, procedural clinic appointments and the estimated avoided outpatient travel.

Total urology admissions decreased by 27% during the 21-day NHRFA level 2 period. However, acute surgical procedures increased by 30% whereas elective surgical procedures decreased by 32%. Outpatient consultations overall decreased by 32% during NHRFA level 2 despite virtual phone consultations increasing by 274%. Procedural clinic appointments decreased by 85%. The virtual platform also saved each patient an estimated 22.7km of average travel.

The data demonstrate the effects of restrictions in response to a crisis and set a precedent for future management in such scenarios. The data also show how service efficiency can be optimised while providing an environmentally friendly alternative for routine clinical practice.