Yahoo News Coronavirus: Children are dying because parents too scared to take them to hospital during COVID-19 crisis
“Our children’s wards are empty. It’s terrifying.”
That’s the stark assessment from one doctor who has told Yahoo News UK young children are dying because parents are too worried about coronavirus to take them to hospital.
The UK has been in lockdown since 23 March, with the government ordering people to stay at home with the exception of essential tasks and exercise.
However, doctors now fear it has led parents to avoid seeking medical attention for their children even if they have serious health concerns.
In an emotional plea to parents, Dr Katie Rogerson, a paediatric doctor who works at one of London’s hospitals that has been hit worst by COVID-19, said: “Bring your children into us if you’re worried.
“Parents are trying to do the right thing and not come into hospital unless they need to.
“They are worried about their child and themselves and contracting COVID when they come into the hospital. They're worried about being separated from their child if they come into the hospital.
“I can tell you that I've witnessed first-hand that this has cost lives.”
The lockdown will continue until 7 May at the earliest, with the government refusing to offer hints as to when an easing of the restrictions will happen.
Dr Rogerson, speaking to Yahoo UK’s Up Close And Socially Distant with Kate Thornton, said she was worried about what was happening to children who would normally be “desperate” for support in normal times.
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“I really want to reassure everybody that we have the teams there, we're ready, we'll keep you safe. We will wash our hands. We will wear our gear to protect you.”
She added: “We need to get this message out. People need to bring their children to us if they are worried. I actually feel emotional talking about it. It’s terrifying.
“We’re all worried about what’s happened to these people who are normally desperate for our services.
“We’re still here and we want you to use us. It’s not all about COVID, it’s about everything else as well.”
Her concerns have been reiterated by the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH), which said children’s hospital admissions may have gone down by up to 40%. It said parents may be taking the government’s “stay at home” advice too literally.
Speaking to Yahoo News UK, an RCPCH spokesman said: “Our message is: don’t wait. Get to your GP, call 111 or don’t hesitate to show up at your A&E.
“There is still a very active paediatric system but the wards in many places are worryingly quiet.”
Asked if he agreed with Dr Rogerson that children are dying because they are not getting medical help, he said: “Absolutely, 100%. The evidence base is anecdotal but presentations are down 20% to 40%.
“It’s just not the case that those kids who we’d normally see aren’t getting sick, aren’t in crisis [for example self-harm] or aren’t suffering the normal illnesses.”
He added: “The real worry is this: If a child gets COVID, the outlook is good. But if the child gets sepsis or meningitis and they don’t show up, that’ll kill them.
“There is a greater good with the lockdown messaging but there does have to be a ‘but’ with the ‘stay at home’ advice.
“If your kid is really ill, do not stay at home. Bring them to A&E and they will be seen – and separated from COVID patients.”
For the RCPCH’s advice to parents during the coronavirus pandemic, click here.
Dr Rogerson is co-founder of NHS Million, a non-profit campaign which aims to improve care by boosting the morale of NHS staff and highlighting issues they are facing. For links to offers and services providing support and wellbeing to NHS Staff, visit www.nhsmillion.co.uk
