Recovery of surgical services during and after COVID-19

Abstract

COVID-19 will be around for the foreseeable future and infection rates may fluctuate as public health measures relax. A significant backlog of surgical work is being created in addition to those patients on waiting lists before the present crisis. Retaining an expanded workforce and resources to deal with all of these patients is essential, but illness, fatigue and social issues among healthcare workers all threaten the necessary increase in surgical activity that is needed. This document from the Royal College of Surgeons provides a list of principles, recommendations and key considerations in order to facilitate elective surgery. These can be used in combination with national, specialty and local trust recovery plans.