Planning & recommendations for COVID-19 second wave

We believe that it is paramount that we continue providing specialty endocrine services in current and future COVID-19 waves for our patients’ safety.

During any future COVID-19 wave there will be variable impact on specialty services across the country. This will depend on local COVID-19 numbers, staff redeployment to general medicine, staff sickness and the need for individuals to shield, quarantine or self-isolate. The variability in services will mean departments will need to tailor their future working to their region’s scenario.

The Future of Endocrinology working group have compiled COVID-19 second wave planning recommendations, so that they may be considered for local implementation.  

Key recommendations:

• Endocrine departmental capacity should be left at a minimum of 25% - higher wherever possible.
• Clearly defined roles for specific team members, including nurses, shielding colleagues and registrars.
• Maintaining speciality training for endocrine trainees.
• Integrating working between primary, secondary and tertiary care as much as possible with shared systems.
• Ensuring the primary, secondary and tertiary care centres within a region understand referral routes for patients.
• Identifying patients for whom virtual consultations are appropriate long term.
• Reviewing phlebotomy services, MDTs, work load priorities and using available resources 

Please send any further ideas of clinical service innovations and efficiencies that you are willing to share, to clinical@endocrinology.org.