Country 'at a critical crossroads' in fight against coronavirus, says British Medical Association chairman

The British Medical Association (BMA) poll found that 86% of more than 8,000 doctors and medical students in England said that a second peak was likely or very likely in the next six months.

When asked about the impact of measures to help prevent a second peak, doctors said that a fit for purpose test and trace system that is accessible and provides timely results, as well as a coherent, rapid and consistent approach to local outbreaks were the two most important.

They also highlighted the need for clearer public information and more visible messaging on rules and guidelines, including those on people mixing with others from outside their household.

As the “rule of six” comes into force on Monday, the BMA said this is an opportunity for the Government to end ambiguity and double down on ensuring people are adhering to infection control measures.

Dr Chaand Nagpaul, BMA council chairman, said: “These results come from thousands of GPs and hospital doctors and expose the fears of frontline clinicians – fears that come from their everyday experiences of treating patients with Covid and watching, the first time round, as the virus spread with alarming speed while the Government delayed efforts to overcome it.

“We, as a profession, want above all to avoid a return to the scenes we saw in April, when hospitals were full with Covid-19 patients, and hundreds were dying every day.

“Meanwhile, thousands of others missed out on vital appointments and procedures as routine care was put on hold.”

He said that while the forecast in this survey may be bleak, it is not an inevitability if the Government takes “decisive, robust and timely action to stamp down the spread of the infection”.

Dr Nagpaul added: “Over recent weeks and months, we have seen the failures of test and trace and ongoing confusing messages to the public on what they can and cannot do, which have resulted in escalation of the virus spreading – these have both been highlighted by doctors as key priorities to get right if we are to stand a chance of preventing a second peak this winter.”

He said Monday’s new measures may be an attempt to simplify the message and increase enforcement, but said “it is clear that fundamental other issues urgently need to be tackled”.

Dr Nagpaul said: “This includes sorting out the test and trace debacle once and for all. It is unacceptable that people and contacts with the infection are not being identified due to failings in the system – which is resulting in the infection spreading blindly.

“With daily cases still alarmingly high, and winter just around the corner, we are at a critical crossroads in the fight against this deadly virus. All efforts must be made to avoid a repeat of the horror and tragedy we all experienced earlier this year.”

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