GP’s across the Bristol area have seen a ‘sharp rise’ in the number of people attending appointments with cancer concerns.
Many people stayed away from GP surgeries during lockdown amid fears of the risk of contracting coronavirus.
As a result the number of cancer referrals across the Bristol area dropped to below 70 per cent of the usual amount since the outbreak of Covid 19.
Numbers have begun steadily increasing since then but are still 25 per cent below average.
GPs are concerned that people could be missing out on vital early treatment for cancer by not visiting practices and hospitals for appointments due to fear of catching the virus.
The south west currently has the best rate for returning cancer patients in the country and Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire Clinical Commissioning Group (BNSSG) has the second best in the region.
However attendance levels are still low and anyone with an appointment is urged to attend.
Dr Alison Wint, Clinical Lead for Cancer & Specialised Commissioning at BNSSG CCG said: “We have had a huge problem since the outbreak of Covid-19 with people, who have been referred for cancer investigations not coming in for their appointments.
“Our administration team has been calling people to reassure them that it is safe to come into hospital but many patients do not turn up even if they say they will.
“We are very keen to see numbers of cancer referrals returning to normal and these early figures are really encouraging, but we still have some way to go and want to reassure anyone who is asked to attend a hospital appointment that excellent measures are in place to protect staff and patients from Covid-19.”
Hospitals and GP Practices have social distancing in place in all waiting rooms.
Patients are tested for Covid-19 and asked to isolate before surgery and investigations to ensure that the hospital is as safe as possible.
Dr Wint added: “I would advise everyone who has new persistent symptoms that are worrying you, particularly a swelling or abnormal bleeding, to please speak to your GP who would like to know about it."
