Coronavirus: More than 80% of doctors in NI predict second wave of Covid-19 in six months

The survey, which was carried out by the British Medical Association (BMA) in Northern Ireland ahead of their Annual Representative Meeting (ARM) tomorrow, asked doctors here about a range of Covid-19 related issues including what the biggest risks for a second peak were and what needs to be prioritised now to get the health service up and running again.

Nearly 500 doctors from Northern Ireland responded to the survey with 47% of them saying their current greatest fear for the health service was a second wave of the virus.

Alongside this doctors from both general practice and hospitals were concerned about the capacity to manage the pandemic alongside restarting routine care for patients.

Respondents were asked what they felt presented a risk of causing a second peak, 57% strongly agreed that confusing messages on public health measures including mask wearing and household social interactions presented a risk and 52% strongly agreed that a lack of monitoring of public health measures created was a risk.

When asked about what needs to be done the prevent a second wave most respondents felt there needed to be a coherent approach to local outbreaks and a ‘fit for purpose’ testing and tracing system.

There also needed to be better public messaging on measures like wearing face coverings, social distancing and contact with non-household members, the survey suggested.

Dr Tom Black, BMA Northern Ireland Council chair said: “The past few days have clearly demonstrated that we are only through the first phase of this pandemic and there is going to be a long winter ahead.

“Our members, who have worked throughout the last six months either on the wards, in practices, in the community or remotely, are rightly worried that we have not been able to get his disease under control.

“We can see that doctors think we need two things to prevent a second, worse peak of Covid-19; a fit for purpose track and trace system and a coherent, rapid and consistent approach to getting local outbreaks under control. Last week the Executive made the right moves with localised lockdowns and alongside that we need clear messages for the general public so they understand what they are being asked to do and why.

“Doctors identified two clear priorities; covid secure workplaces and adequate supplies of PPE, and prioritisation of patients to clear the backlog.”