Many patients were not able to access routine diagnostic care through 2020/21 because of extraordinary pressures on the NHS due to COVID-19 and the UK national lockdowns. For some patients, this can have serious short and long-term consequences on their health and life expectancy. The NHS has limited resources and is looking for new ways to meet many demands and patient needs. The aim of this rapid review was to highlight evidence of innovative ways to improve the timeliness of access to endoscopy and to address the backlog for patients who have waited a long time for such tests and investigations by selecting those in greatest need.
Link to full review:
Which innovations can improve timeliness of investigations and address the backlog in endoscopy for patients with potential symptoms of upper and lower Gastrointestinal (GI) cancers? RR00003_Wales_COVID-19_Evidence_Centre_Rapid_Review-innovations_to_address_backlog_endoscopy_GI_Cancer_September-2021.pdf (primecentre.wales)
