Health care usage during COVID-19 The latest data, analysis and survey findings on the significant impact the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic is having on how the public are using health services
There is growing evidence that people are using health services less since the start of the pandemic; we’ve seen big drops in A&E attendances, fewer cancer referrals and an increase in cancellations of planned treatment for people with long term conditions.
This may be down to a number of reasons; including changes in how NHS services are operating, patient behaviour and the prevalence of some conditions.
Over recent weeks we have been sharing the latest data, analysis and survey findings that show how the public are using health services during the pandemic.
Looking at the way people’s use of services have changed can provide a better understanding of what is needed to get services back up and running.
We will update this page as the work continues over the coming weeks and months.
Understanding Society is the UK’s Household Longitudinal study, which the Health Foundation is supporting. Data from the study is being made available publicly on a monthly basis for research about the changing impact of the pandemic on healthcare seeking behaviour, the welfare of individuals, families and communities in the UK.
Latest reports, polling and analysis
Long read
Elective care in England
About 14 mins to read
This long read looks at what we know so far about the pandemic’s impact on elective care in England.
Report
Public perceptions of health and social care in light of COVID-19 (November 2020)
Results from an Ipsos MORI survey commissioned by the Health Foundation between 13 and 24 November...
Report
Public perceptions of health and social care in light of COVID-19 (July 2020)
Results from an Ipsos MORI survey commissioned by the Health Foundation between 17 and 29 July 2020.
Report
Public perceptions of health and social care in light of COVID-19 (May 2020)
Results from an Ipsos MORI survey commissioned by the Health Foundation between 1 and 10 May 2020.
Newsletter feature
What the public thinks – another five things we learnt from our COVID-19 polling
Our latest polling uncovered changes in public perceptions on key issues around COVID-19 and the...
Chart
Five things we learnt from our polling on public perceptions during COVID-19
What are the five things we've learnt so far from a Ipsos MORI polling (commissioned by the Health...
Press release
Restoration of cancer referrals a positive milestone but backlog of routine care still a major concern
Health Foundation response to NHS England's monthly performance statistics.
Press release
‘Hidden backlog’ looms as NHS referrals for routine hospital care drop by a third
New analysis by the Health Foundation shows a hidden backlog of routine hospital care.
Press release
The NHS is struggling to tackle a growing backlog of care
Health Foundation response to NHS England's monthly performance statistics.
Press release
Public confidence in using NHS returning but concerns persist among groups worst affected by COVID-19
The Health Foundation releases new polling data with Ipsos MORI looking at the public’s attitudes on...
Press release
Public confidence in using NHS returning but backlog still growing
Health Foundation response to NHS England's monthly performance statistics.
Press release
Over 700,000 patients served by GPs at high risk of COVID-19 could be left without access to face-to-face GP appointments
New Health Foundation research reveals that one in three GPs who singlehandedly manage a GP practice...
Newsletter blog
Shock to the system: COVID-19’s long-term impact on the NHS
The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic is a major shock to the NHS and social care systems and has...
Blog
Early insight into the impacts of COVID-19 on care for people with long-term conditions
The Health Foundation has supported an online YouGov survey, designed by the Resolution Foundation,...
External link
NHS hospital treatments for long-term health conditions fall by over 60% in April
New data from Understanding Society shows that the impact of the pandemic on NHS hospital treatments...
External link
Briefing note COVID-19 survey: health and caring
Full report from Understanding Society on the experience of COVID-19 symptoms, testing and...
Charts
Chart
Non-COVID-19 NHS care during the pandemic
COVID-19 has disrupted hospital care for tens of thousands of patients. Our analysis covers activity...
Chart
How are total triage and remote consultation changing the use of emergency care?
New analysis from the Improvement Analytics Unit looks at how shifts to total triage and remote...
Chart
Use of primary care during the COVID-19 pandemic
There have been dramatic shifts in primary care activities and outcomes in response to the COVID-19...
Chart
How has children and young people’s usage of A&E been impacted by lockdown and social distancing?
Social distancing has driven reduced demand for A&E services since March, particularly by children...
Long read
How might COVID-19 affect the number of GPs available to see patients in England?
About 10 mins to read
COVID-19 may affect the number of GPs able to consult with patients face-to-face. We explore this...
Chart
How has COVID-19 affected service delivery in GP practices that offered remote consultations before the pandemic?
The digital-first primary care goal set out in the NHS Long Term Plan has been thrown into the...
Chart
Exploring the fall in A&E visits during the pandemic
COVID-19 has led to radical changes in the way that people are using NHS services, including...
Chart
Five things we learnt from our polling on public perceptions during COVID-19
What are the five things we've learnt so far from a Ipsos MORI polling (commissioned by the Health...
Chart
How has NHS 111 shaped public demand for the NHS in England during the pandemic?
Emma Vestesson and Tim Gardner look at what recent changes in patient interaction with NHS services...
Chart
Emergency care: what do the May data show?
In previous analyses we explored how COVID-19 is changing the use of emergency care on a national...
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How is COVID-19 changing the use of emergency care by region?
Changes in the overall number of ambulance incidents have been small but there are large changes in...
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How is COVID-19 changing the use of emergency care?
Elaine Kelly and Zoe Firth look at how activity in the emergency care sector has changed since the...
Chart
Visits to A&E departments in England in April 2020 fell by 57% compared to last year
NHS England data show coronavirus has had a seismic impact on how people are using health services
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