UKARCOG (Including: Rimmer , Michael P. and Al Wattar, Bassel H. ). (2020) Provision of obstetrics and gynaecology services during the COVID19 pandemic : a survey of junior doctors in the UK National Health Service. BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, 127 (9). pp. 1123-1128. doi:10.1111/1471-0528.16313

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Abstract

Objective: The COVID-19 pandemic is disrupting health services worldwide. We aimed to evaluate the provision of obstetrics and gynaecology services in the UK during the acute-phase of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Design: Interview-based national survey.
Setting: Women’s healthcare units in the National Health Service.
Population: Junior doctors in obstetrics and gynaecology.
Methods: Participants were interviewed by members of the UKARCOG trainees’ collaborative between 28th March and 7th of April 2020. We used a quantitative analysis for closed-ended questions and a thematic framework analysis for open comments.
Results: We received responses from 148/155 units (95%), majority of the participants were in years 3-7 of training (121/148, 82%). Most completed specific training drills for managing obstetric and gynaecological emergencies in women with COVID-19 (89/148, 60.1%) and two-persons donning and doffing of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) (96/148, 64.9%). The majority of surveyed units implemented COVID-19 specific protocols (130/148, 87.8%), offered adequate PPE (135/148, 91.2%) and operated dedicated COVID-19 emergency theatres (105/148, 70.8%).
Most units reduced face-to-face antenatal clinics (117/148, 79.1%), and suspended elective gynaecology services (131/148, 88.5%). The two-week referral pathway for oncology gynaecology was not affected in half of the units (76/148, 51.4%), while half reported a planned reduction in oncology operating (82/148, 55.4%).
Conclusion: The provision of obstetrics and gynaecology services in the UK during the acute phase of the COVID-19 pandemic seems to be in line with current guidelines, but strategic planning is needed to restore routine gynaecology services and ensure safe access to maternity care on the longterm.

Item Type:	Journal Article
Subjects:	R Medicine > RG Gynecology and obstetrics
Divisions:	Faculty of Medicine > Warwick Medical School
Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH):	Gynaecology, COVID-19 (Disease), National health services -- Great Britain, Interns (Medicine), Obstetrics
Journal or Publication Title:	BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics & Gynaecology
Publisher:	Wiley-Blackwell Publishing, Inc
ISSN:	1470-0328
Official Date:	August 2020
Dates:	Date Event August 2020 Published 27 May 2020 Available 7 May 2020 Accepted
Date of first compliant deposit:	22 May 2020
Volume:	127
Number:	9
Page Range:	pp. 1123-1128
DOI:	10.1111/1471-0528.16313
Status:	Peer Reviewed
Publication Status:	Published
Publisher Statement:	"This is the peer reviewed version of the following article: [FULL CITE], which has been published in final form at [Link to final article using the DOI]. This article may be used for non-commercial purposes in accordance with Wiley Terms and Conditions for Use of Self-Archived Versions."
Access rights to Published version:	Open Access
Related URLs:	Publisher

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