The NHS is ‘open for business’

25 Jun 2020

The NHS is working hard to ensure that patients can safely access essential services including cancer checks and urgent treatment and surgery.

Though the COVID-19 pandemic has required some changes to the way cancer care is provided, patients should know that essential tests to diagnose cancer are now available and urgent cancer treatments are continuing. Cancer patients who were having treatment before the outbreak are urged to attend any appointments unless they have been told not to.

The NHS is working as hard as possible to ensure these services are safe for both patients and staff. This includes developing new ways of delivering care, including establishing cancer treatment hubs and enabling chemotherapy to be delivered at home.

The recently launched ‘Help Us Help You’ campaign makes clear that health services are here for you, including GP practices.

Dr Emma Kipps, RM Partners clinical programme lead, said: ‘Anyone who is worried about a sign or symptom, such as a lump, a pain that doesn’t go away or bleeding that can’t be explained, should contact their GP as this might be a sign of early stage cancer. And we know that cancer, when found early, has the greatest chance of a cure.’

The NHS is open for business and if you need medical help, the NHS is here for you.